Pancreatic lesions

A pancreatic lesion is a type of cyst that sits on or in your pancreas. Cysts are sacs or lumps that contain fluid or other material. Most are benign (non-cancerous). But a small number have the potential to become cancerous.

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Causes of pancreatic lesions

Pancreatic lesions can be caused by:

  • inflammation or scarring, sometimes from past infections or pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
  • benign tumours (non-cancerous growths) that do not cause problems
  • early or small cancers — sometimes, these spots can be early signs of pancreatic cancer, though this is less common
  • other rare conditions, like small areas of fat buildup or abnormal blood vessels.

Symptoms of pancreatic lesions

Pancreatic lesions do not usually cause any symptoms.

If you do get symptoms, they might include:

  • stomach pain
  • feeling sick (nausea)
  • throwing up (vomiting).

Rare symptoms include:

  • your skin or the whites of your eyes becoming yellow (jaundice)
  • losing weight without trying.

Diagnosing pancreatic lesions

Pancreatic lesions are usually found on images from a scan (such as a CT scan or an MRI scan) that has been taken for a different problem. The lesion may then show up as an incidental finding. This means it was accidentally found while looking for something else.

Healthcare providers believe that these lesions are common in older people.

If a scan shows you have lesions, your healthcare provider will check the image and discuss the findings with you. They will also ask if you have any symptoms and examine you.

They may also:

  • arrange an ultrasound scan to get more information about the lesions
  • get specialist advice.

Treating pancreatic lesions

For most people, the best course of action is active monitoring. This means you have regular scans to check if there are any changes. How often the scans happen depends on the size and nature of the lesions.

It also depends on:

  • how far they have spread within the pancreas's tubes
  • whether you have a family history of pancreatic cancer.

Some people have scans every 18 months.

If there is a high risk of cancer, your healthcare provider will refer you to a specialist. They will determine the risk of the lesions and have a detailed discussion with you. They will tell you if they recommend surgery.

All surgery has risks. You and your healthcare provider need to weigh up the risks of the surgery against the risks of leaving the lesions alone.