The vast majority of IPMN’s are found to be benign and will never cause issue. When they occur in branch ducts of the pancreas, and no worrisome features which is the vast majority, they will be surveilled likely on a yearly schedule up to two years for growth. They can grow up to 3 cm before they could occlude a branch duct and trigger pancreatitis. Surgical removal is usually warranted.

For IPMN’s in in the main duct or communicate with a main duct-meaning they are at a point where part of the IPMN is extended into the main duct and awash with pancreatic juice of a higher volume, the limit in size before intervention is 1 cm or if there are concerning features. At that point, surgery is considered. Surveillance would likely be every six months for the first two years.

CA19-9 is in the normal range and the mast majority of cysts do not produce CA19-9. That marker is not specific for pancreatic cancer as elevation can occur in benign conditions of the GI tract, pancreatitis and even lung infections. A value of 27 U/ml is not indicative of anything.

I have IPMN’s and the first thing I did was to go to a center that specializes in IPMN’s with a clinic You may want to consider enrolling in a clinical study that is monitoring the two types of surveillance methods in use to determine the method that is best. There are sites throughout the US, and a few in Canada and Korea.

IPMN EA2185 CLINICAL STUDY
https://ecog-acrin.org/clinical-trials/ea2185-pancreas-cancer-prevention/