What is the Difference Between Pancreatic Cyst and Pseudocyst

Are you aware of the silent dangers lurking within your pancreas? Pancreatic cysts and pseudocysts might sound similar, but their differences could mean the difference between a benign condition and a potentially life-threatening situation. This article will look at pancreatic cysts vs pseudocysts in terms of their nature, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment methods.

What is the difference between pancreatic cyst and pseudocyst? A pancreatic cyst is a type of fluid-filled sac enclosed by an epithelium lining, while a pancreatic pseudocyst is a type of cyst that is not enclosed by the epithelium lining.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Pancreatic Cyst 
3. What is a Pseudocyst
4. Similarities – Pancreatic Cyst and Pseudocyst
5. Pancreatic Cyst vs Pseudocyst in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Pancreatic Cyst and Pseudocyst
7. Summary – Pancreatic Cyst vs Pseudocyst

What is a Pancreatic Cyst?

A pancreatic cyst is a type of cyst that grows on or in the pancreas. It is a closed sac lined with epithelium and located on or in the pancreas. Pancreatic cyst contains fluid. This cyst is normally benign, but can also be cancerous. The symptoms of this condition may include abdominal pain, back pain, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, bloating, indigestion, nausea, jaundice, steatorrhea, and a lump in the abdomen. Moreover, the risk factors for this condition are hereditary diseases, advanced age, pancreatitis, and family history.

Pancreatic cysts can be diagnosed through physical examination, radiology, endoscopic ultrasound, and fluid analysis. Furthermore, treatment options for pancreatic cysts are surveillance, biopsy, and removal by surgery.

What is a Pseudocyst?

A pancreatic pseudocyst is a type of cyst found in the pancreas that is not contained within its own enclosed sac with an epithelium lining. This type of cyst develops within a cavity or space inside the pancreas and is surrounded by fibrous tissue. It also contains inflammatory pancreatic fluid (particularly the digestive enzyme amalyse) or semisolid matter. The symptoms of pancreatic pseudocysts may include stomach pain, fever, swollen belly, nausea, and vomiting. Additionally, risk factors for this condition include pancreas injury, pancreas infection, pancreatic tumor, high levels of calcium in the blood, very high levels of blood fats, pancreatic damage from medications, autoimmune diseases, and familial conditions that harm the pancreas, such as cystic fibrosis.

Pancreatic pseudocysts can be diagnosed through physical symptoms evaluation, abdominal ultrasound, and CT scan. Furthermore, treatment options for pancreatic pseudocysts may include resting, intravenous fluid, pain medications, medicines to prevent vomiting, and surgery to drain pseudocysts.

What are the Similarities Between Pancreatic Cyst and Pseudocyst?

1. Pancreatic cysts and pseudocysts are two different types of cysts found in the pancreas.
2. Both cysts can cause complications.
3. Both cysts can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging studies.
4. They can be treated through specific medications and draining through surgery.

What is the Difference Between Pancreatic Cyst and Pseudocyst?

Structure

Pancreatic cysts are enclosed sacs found within the pancreas, whereas pseudocysts are cysts that lack a distinct enclosing sac.

Risk Factors

The risk factors for pancreatic cysts are hereditary diseases, advanced age, pancreatitis, and family history. On the other hand, the risk factors for this condition include pancreas injury, pancreas infection, pancreatic tumor, high levels of calcium in the blood, very high levels of blood fats, pancreatic damage from medications, autoimmune diseases, and familial conditions that harm the pancreas, such as cystic fibrosis.

The infographic below presents the differences between pancreatic cyst and pseudocyst in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

FAQ: Pancreatic Cyst and Pseudocyst

1. What is the treatment of choice for pancreatic pseudocyst?

• Endoscopic transpapillary drainage is a treatment choice for pancreatic pseudocysts.

2. Can a pseudocyst become cancerous?

• The majority of pseudocysts are not cancerous. However, some pancreatic cysts can be or can become cancerous.

3. What food is bad for your pancreas?

• Alcohol and fried/greasy/high-fat foods (such as creamy sauces, fast food, full-fat meat and dairy, and anything fried) are better to avoid consuming since they are not good for your pancreas.

Summary – Pancreatic Cyst vs Pseudocyst

The pancreas is an important organ located inside the abdomen just behind the stomach. Pancreatic cysts and pseudocysts are two different types of cysts found in the pancreas. A pancreatic cyst is a closed cyst and has a lining of cells that separates it from the nearby tissue, while a pseudocyst isn’t a closed cyst and doesn’t have a lining of epithelial cells separating it from the nearby tissue. This summarizes the difference between pancreatic cyst and pseudocyst.

Reference:

1. “Pancreatic Cysts – An Overview.” ScienceDirect Topics.
2. “Pancreatic Pseudocyst.” Aurora Health Care.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Benign pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasm – intermed mag” By Nephron – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Pancreatic Pseudocyst” By JasonRobertYoungMD – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia