About pancreatic cyst:
A pancreatic cyst is a circumscribed collection of fluid rich in pancreatic enzymes, blood, and necrotic tissue, typically located in the lesser sac of the abdomen. Pancreatic cysts are sac-like pockets of fluid on or within your pancreas.
Types of pancreatic cyst:
Two major types of pancreatic cysts are:
1. Inflammatory cysts:
Inflammatory cysts are benign. Most of the inflammatory cysts of the pancreas are pancreatic pseudo cysts which result from pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). The common causes of pancreatic cyst include alcoholism, gallstones, trauma or surgery.
2. Non inflammatory cysts:
Non inflammatory cysts can be benign, precancerous, or cancerous. Non inflammatory cysts can be Serous cyst adenomas, Mucinous cyst adenomas, Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas.
Causes of pancreatic cysts:
Cancerous cysts can be caused by genetic mutations. Some cysts are associated with rare illnesses including von Hippel-Lindau disease, a genetic disorder that can affect the pancreas and other organs. Pseudocysts often follow a bout of pancreatitis, a painful condition in which digestive enzymes become prematurely active and irritate the pancreas. Pseudocysts can also result from injury to the abdomen, such as from a road accident.
Symptoms:
1. Persistent abdominal pain, which may radiate to your back
2. Small (less than two cm) cysts usually cause no symptoms.
3. Large pancreatic cysts can cause abdominal pain and back pain presumably by putting pressure on surrounding tissues and nerves.
4. Large cysts in the head of the pancreas also may cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes with darkening of urine color) due to obstruction of the common duct.
5. Obstruction causes bile to back up and forces bilirubin (the chemical that produces jaundice) back into the bloodstream
6. Acute pancreatitis can cause the formation of large pseudocysts that can compress the stomach or the duodenum leading to obstruction to flow within the intestines, abdominal pain and vomiting. These cysts also may become infected and lead to fever, chills, and sepsis.
Treatment of pancreatic cyst
It is advisable to seek immediate medical treatment when a person carrying a pancreatic cyst start to faint, have severe abdominal pain, heart starts beating rapidly, and blood comes out along with vomiting.
1. Watchful waiting
All pancreatic cysts should be watched for. Cysts smaller than 10 millimeters (0.39 inches) can be easily imaged with CT scan and it is preferred to leave as it is left alone as long as it isn’t bothering you.
2. Drainage
A pseudocyst that is causing bothersome symptoms or growing larger may be drained. A small flexible tube (endoscope) is passed through your mouth to your stomach and small intestine. The endoscope is equipped with a needle to drain the cyst.
3. Surgery
Surgery may be needed to remove an enlarged pseudocyst or a serous cystadenoma that’s causing pain or other symptoms. Other types of pancreatic cysts generally require surgical removal because of the risk of cancer.
Conclusion:
Finally the best way to avoid pseudocysts is to avoid pancreatitis, which is usually caused by gallstones or heavy use of alcohol. Thus abstinence from alcohol and proper balance diet is just recommended. Being natural rather than super natural always helps. Live and let live.
