What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Pancreatic Acinar Cystic Transformation

What is Acinar Cystic Transformation of the Pancreas? (Definition/Background Information)

• Acinar Cystic Transformation of the Pancreas is an uncommon benign condition of the pancreas, an important organ of the digestive system located in the abdomen. It manifests as smooth and translucent cyst-filled lesions mostly in the head of the pancreas, although they may occur anywhere within the pancreatic gland
• A diagnosis is arrived at after careful and extensive sampling of the tumor by a pathologist. It is required that cells lining the cyst are benign and consists of acinar and/or ductal epithelium. Also, when the pathologist examines the tumor sample, the lining cells do not show any signs of atypia or malignancy. Hence, extensive sampling and examination of the lesion is needed for a definitive diagnosis of Pancreatic Acinar Cystic Transformation
• Two main categories of lesions are recognized and are termed:
  • Incidental microscopic findings: These are mostly detected on biopsy studies when pancreatic tissue samples are removed for other health conditions. They are normally less than 1 cm in size and localized to the pancreatic head; these cysts do not involve the main pancreatic ducts
  • Clinically-recognized macroscopic lesions: These are diagnosed following significant symptom presentation such as presence of a palpable mass, abdomen pain, and discomfort from indigestion. Large-sized cysts may measure nearly 20 cm and diffusely involve the entire pancreas; the mean size is about 5.8 cm, and cysts may vary in size from 1.5 to 19.7 cm
• The cause of Pancreatic Acinar Cystic Transformation is generally unknown. Evidence indicate that some individuals get them following obstruction of the pancreatic ducts. Some research indicates that the condition may be genetic (X-chromosome inactivation have been occasionally reported)
• It is difficult to diagnose these lesions which may often get misdiagnosed as mucinous neoplasms, serous cystadenomas, or squamoid cysts of the pancreatic duct (SPCD). Following a diagnosis of Acinar Cystic Transformation of the Pancreas, surgery is an option for large lesions that present severe symptoms
• The prognosis of Acinar Cystic Transformation of the Pancreas is excellent with appropriate treatment as it is essentially benign. These cystic lesions are not known to recur or undergo malignant transformations to acinar cell carcinomas. However, large-sized lesions may cause severe complications affecting pancreatic function