Synopsis
Pancreatic cysts are extremely common, and are identified in between
2% to 13% on abdominal imaging studies. The majority of
pancreatic cysts are pseudocysts, serous cystic neoplasms (SCNs), mucinous
cystic neoplasms (MCNs) or intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMNs). The
management of pancreatic cysts depends on whether a cyst is benign, has
malignant potential, or harbors high-grade dysplasia or invasive carcinoma. The
diagnosis of pancreatic cysts, and assessment of risk of malignant
transformation, incorporates a number of factors including clinical history,
computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endoscopic
ultrasound and fine needle aspiration of cyst fluid (EUS-FNA). This paper
reviews the cyst fluid markers which are currently used, as well as promising
markers under development.