Differentiation between pancreatic cancer and pancreatic pseudocyst

In life, some people suspect that they have pancreatic pseudocysts, but after diagnosis, they find that they have pancreatic cancer. So how should these two diseases be distinguished clinically?

Different causes

Pancreatic pseudocysts are mostly caused by acute pancreatitis and pancreatic damage caused by various reasons. Due to the necrosis and disintegration of pancreatic tissue, pancreatic juice and blood overflow, the omentum wrapping and surrounding fibrous tissue proliferation are stimulated, forming cyst-like changes. Because the cyst wall is not covered by pancreatic epithelial cells, it is called a pseudocyst.

The cause of pancreatic cancer is still unclear. It is often related to chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, and the patient's high-protein, high-fat, high-calorie diet. It is also related to the patient's smoking.

Patient history

Patients with pancreatic pseudocysts often have a history of acute pancreatitis or abdominal trauma, while patients with pancreatic cancer may have a history of diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, or no history.

Onset site

Pseudocysts are often found in the pancreatic body and tail, usually located on the ventral side of the pancreas and connected to the pancreas, while pancreatic cancer is often found in the pancreatic head.

symptom

Pancreatic pseudocyst may manifest as an upper abdominal mass, mass tenderness, abdominal distension, dull pain, nausea, vomiting, etc.; while the typical symptoms of pancreatic cancer are jaundice and abdominal pain, in addition to weight loss, back pain, fatigue, etc.

Ultrasound examination

Patients with pancreatic pseudocysts may have a clear localized dark area of ​​fluid in the upper abdomen. Patients with pancreatic cancer may have enlarged pancreatic head, irregular pancreatic body, dilated pancreatic duct, enlarged gallbladder, and intrahepatic metastatic lesions.