Incidental finding discovered pancreatic cyst: Should I be concerned?

@ketter1
I had a similar situation, and when I read the report, I was very concerned. My mother died of pancreatic cancer. In my case, it was not related to cancer. The radiologist's report suggested rechecking in 3 years. A repeat scan was done 3 years later. The previous cyst had shrunk, and two new small cysts were now visible. All my cysts were small. My provider was not concerned, and no follow-up is planned.

Here is additional information on Pancreatic Cyst:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatic-cysts/symptoms-causes/syc-20375993
If any treatment or follow-up is necessary, it may depend on the size and other medical conditions.

Do you plan to follow up with your provider to discuss the results?

Provider referred me to a GI specialist for EUS and fine needle aspiration. I appreciate your reply. I see the GI this next week and will see what she thinks.

@ketter1, I added this discussion about pancreatic cysts to the Pancreatic Conditions support group. When a cyst is found, it's only natural to be concerned about the possibility of cancer. A pancreatic cyst is a fluid-filled sac that can form on or inside the pancreas, often found incidentally during imaging tests for other conditions. Most are non-cancerous and the cause is often unknown.

@ketter1, you mention that the cysts were found during a PSMA-Pet scan. Are you also being tested for possible prostate cancer?

Issues in the pancreas need to be addressed. If there is something going on time is of the essence.

I would ask your doctor if you need further scans and if a fluid analysis is needed. Sometimes the cysts are precancerous. I’m not a medical professional but those are the questions I’d ask.

I also have cysts in my pancreas. Its important to have it checked and my doctor does not recommend a biopsy. Just C-Scans . However, its important to ask questions and follow your doctor's advice.

Get second opinion Dr. Evens Wi

@ketter1
I had a cyst 1.5 cm on the tail which was found on ct for something else. Thank God I was at Stanford in CA, and my doc recommended a followup with a GI, which led to an endoscopy with genetic testing, which came back with 2 genetic mutations linked with an 80% chance of cancer. Dr. Visser (who evidently walks on water) did the surgery (with a robot) to remove the cyst and plug the remainder of the tail into to my stomach. A rough 3 weeks but slowly back to normal food over 2-3 months. Dodged a bullet there. So the protocol is if it is less than 1 cm then they do a ct scan at 6 months yo see if there has been a change, then again after another 6 months, then yearly thereafter, unless is shrinks. If it is bigger, push for the genetic test.
There is another god-like doc at Mass General if you are close to that. I am not near my computer but can get you that info in a week or so if you need it.
My advice is to start eating like crazy if your genetic tests come back with a high probability of cancer. And get a dietitian looped in to help you maintain your weight.

Thank you. Please send me that doc referral name at Mass General or any Florida docs that may have trained there.