Pancreatic Cysts and Cancer Risk

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Many pancreatic cysts are discovered when clinical imaging is performed for an unrelated reason. As the population continues to age and the quality of cross-sectional imaging improves, the ...

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Many pancreatic cysts are discovered when clinical imaging is performed for an unrelated reason. As the population continues to age and the quality of cross-sectional imaging improves, the prevalence of pancreatic cysts diagnosed in US adults is predicted to rise. The challenge for clinicians is how best to determine which of these cystic lesions have malignant potential. The risk of malignant transformation varies with the type of pancreatic cyst and various clinical attributes. Therefore, accurately distinguishing among them has important clinical implications, but there are many challenges associated with achieving an accurate diagnosis—and, arguably, more importantly—with identifying reliable and reproducible methods to stratify the risk of malignant transformation in these patients. Thus, the clinical decision for observation, surveillance, or surgical intervention is difficult to make. Integrated molecular pathology (IMP) testing of pancreatic cysts can help identify malignant potential in pancreatic lesions with negative or indeterminate first-line testing.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
After participating in this activity, clinicians should be better able to:Describe the true nature of pancreatic cysts and their risk of progression to malignancyEvaluate the diagnostic inputs which guide surgery, including imaging, risk factors, cytology, and chemistryUtilize the clinical performance of integrated molecular pathology (IMP)Consider how molecular testing may guide clinicians to make the most appropriate treatment recommendations for their patients

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