What is a pancreatic cyst?
Pancreatic cysts are small, fluid-filled growths on or in the pancreas. The pancreas sits behind the stomach and helps you digest food and manage blood sugar. Most cysts are harmless (benign) and never cause symptoms, but some can be cancerous. Even low-risk cysts benefit from periodic monitoring so your care team can track any changes over time.
These growths are typically treated by gastroenterologists who focus on digestive conditions. At Penn Medicine, our experts in biliary and pancreatic disease care use advanced imaging, testing, and surgical techniques to determine the type of cyst you have and guide your next steps.
Types of pancreatic cysts
There are many types of pancreatic cysts, and they generally fall into two main groups. Some, like serous cystadenomas (SCA), are benign and don’t turn into cancer. Others, like intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) are considered premalignant because they have the potential to become pancreatic cancer over time.
Another type, pancreatic pseudocysts, while not true cysts, often form after pancreatitis. They are usually benign but can still cause symptoms depending on their size and location. Knowing the type of cyst helps your provider decide how often you need imaging and whether treatment is needed.
Pancreatic cyst symptoms and signs
Most pancreatic cysts don’t cause symptoms. When symptoms do happen, it’s usually because a cyst is pressing on a nearby duct or part of the digestive tract. While a ruptured cyst causing a serious infection is rare, talk with your provider if you have sudden, severe symptoms that last longer than two weeks.
If symptoms develop, they may look like:
- Ongoing stomach pain
- Bloating or indigestion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever
- Unexplained weight loss
- A lump or fullness in your stomach
- Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Light-colored, greasy stools
What causes a cyst to form on the pancreas?
Pancreatic cysts are abnormal growths that form after changes in a cell’s genetic code (gene mutation). Researchers aren’t sure why these changes happen in some people and not others. Certain factors can raise the chance of developing a cyst, including:
- Past inflammation of the pancreas
- Abdominal injury
- A family history of pancreatic cancer
- Genetic conditions like von Hippel-Lindau disease or polycystic kidney disease
- Older age, especially over 70
How we find and assess pancreatic cysts
High-detail imaging gives your provider a first look at a cyst’s size and location. They may also collect a small tissue sample (biopsy), blood, or cyst fluid to see whether the cyst is harmless or has features that could lead to cancer and require treatment.
Approaches to treating pancreatic cysts
Many pancreatic cysts don’t need treatment right away. For low-risk cysts, your provider may recommend watchful waiting, which uses regular imaging to track any changes. If a cyst grows or begins causing symptoms, your provider may recommend draining it or surgical removal.
What sets our Pancreatic Cyst Program apart
A diagnosis of a pancreatic cyst may feel overwhelming. At Penn Medicine’s Pancreatic Cyst Clinic, you have a dedicated team of gastroenterologists, surgeons, radiologists, and pathologists working together to assess your risk and guide your care over time. We manage more than 1,000 patients with pancreatic cysts each year, giving you access to coordinated testing, expert review, and clear plans for monitoring or treatment.
What you can expect from our team:
- Deep expertise in all types of pancreatic cysts
- Coordinated imaging, testing, and team review to clarify your diagnosis
- Regular case discussions at our pancreatic cyst conference
- Opportunities to participate in clinical research
- Specialized care from a National Pancreas Foundation Center of Excellence