Pancreatic Cystic Lesions: Aiding in the Early Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLS) are being increasingly recognized due to advancements in cross-sectional imaging. The majority of detected PCLs are small and asymptomatic and incidentally diagnosed unrelated to pancreatic illness. Small PCLs are difficult to characterize clinically and radiologically. A pseudocyst is inflammatory, mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN) is premalignant, and serous cystadenoma is benign. Still, all these have the same morphologic feature and if misdiagnosed may cause morbidity or mortality depending on aetiology. Surgery is the ultimate treatment for these cysts. So accurate diagnosis is essential for surgery. Fine needle aspiration and cyst fluid analysis are helpful in the diagnosis of PCLs.

Pancreatic cystic lesions can be helpful in the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. As pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the most dreadful cancers, only 5% of patients survive 5 years. This is due to the late diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. So early diagnosis is important.

This Research Topic will include, but is not limited to, the following sub-themes:

1. Natural history, prevalence, and types of pancreatic cystic tumours

2. Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma)

3. Role of endoscopic ultrasound and fine needle aspiration in the diagnosis of pancreatic cysts

4. Cyst fluid acquisition, analysis, and its role in the diagnosis

5. Role of biochemical and molecular markers in pancreatic cyst

6. Role of biochemical and molecular markers in pancreatic cancer

7. Role of cytology in the diagnosis of pancreatic cysts

8. Recent advances in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer