Should a cyst on the pancreas be removed?

Some types of pancreatic cysts require surgical removal because of the risk of cancer. Surgery might be needed to remove an enlarged pseudocyst or a serous cystadenoma that’s causing pain or other symptoms. A pseudocyst may recur if you have ongoing pancreatitis.

What is the recovery time for pancreatic cyst removal?

As with all major operations, recovering from pancreatic surgery takes time. Full recovery requires an average of two months.

What makes a pancreatic cyst grow?

In addition to making digestive enzymes, the endocrine (islet) cells in the pancreas produce hormones, such as insulin, that control blood sugar levels in your body. Sometimes pancreatic cysts grow as a result of pancreatitis, an inflammation in the pancreas.

How often should a pancreatic cyst be monitored?

Most patients will want to follow a five-year plan. In this plan, you would have three MRI scans over a five-year period. If your cysts do not change over this time, this means they have a low risk of becoming cancerous, and you should consider stopping surveillance.

How painful is pancreatic surgery?

There is no doubt that the Whipple procedure is a painful operation. This is largely due to the extent of the organs being removed or rearranged and the proximity of the pancreas to nerves as they exit the spine at the back of the abdomen during the operation.

Is surgery necessary for cysts in pancreas?

Some types of pancreatic cysts require surgical removal because of the risk of cancer. Surgery might be needed to remove an enlarged pseudocyst or a serous cystadenoma that’s causing pain or other symptoms. A pseudocyst may recur if you have ongoing pancreatitis.

What is the best surgery for pancreatic cancer?

The procedures used to remove pancreatic cancer are the Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy), a total pancreatectomy and a distal pancreatectomy. The Whipple procedure, the most common surgery performed to remove tumors in the head of the pancreas, may include removing part of the stomach, small intestine, gall bladder and other structures.

How long does it take to recover from a pancreas surgery?

As with all major operations, recovering from a pancreatic surgery takes time. Full recovery requires an average of two months. Depending on the type of operation you undergo, you will be admitted into the hospital for 4 days to 2 weeks so that your medical team can monitor any post-operative complications.