FROM THE ARCHIVES OF THE AFIP - MUCINOUS CYSTIC NEOPLASMS OF THE PANCREAS - RADIOLOGIC-PATHOLOGICAL CORRELATION

Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are rare primary tumors, The y have pathologic and clinical similarities to biliary cystadenomas of the liver and mucinous cystic tumors of the ovary, Mucinous cystic ne oplasms of the pancreas typically affect middle-aged women and arise i n the tail of the pancreas, Gross pathologic and imaging features usua lly are those of a large, multilocular cystic mass, There is, however, a spectrum of radiologic findings that overlaps with those of other e ntities including pancreatic pseudocyst, other primary epithelial and nonepithelial tumors of the pancreas, and metastases, In most cases, u ltrasound and computed tomography are the mainstays for radiologic eva luation, with magnetic resonance imaging having a complementary role, All mucinous cystic neoplasms should be considered as mucinous cystade nocarcinomas of low-grade malignant potential, Complete surgical excis ion alone results in an excellent clinical outcome and disease-free su rvival, irrespective of histologic or radiologic parameters in over 90 % of cases studied.