Mucinous cystadenoma of the pancreas associated with pregnancy. Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Objective. We present a rare pathology with uncommon onset. Background. Mucinous cystic pancreatic neoplasms (MCNs) are rare tumors, which generally occur in the fifth and sixth decades of women. Although some tumours are frankly malignant, all are in fact considered to be potentially malignant. Case report. We present the case of a 30-year-old patient, with a 16/11 cm tumor located in the pancreas body, which was diagnosed 8 months after birth. The preoperative assessment of the pancreatic lesion suggested the diagnosis of mucosal cyst neoplasm, without being able to determine its benign or malignant nature. Central pancreatectomy was performed with a good postoperative evolution. Histopathologic result was represented by mucinous pancreatic chistadenoma. Two years after surgical intervention, the patient presented no signs of recurrence or pancreatic (exocrine or endocrine) secretion deficiency. Conclusions. Preoperative imaging evaluation could be suggestive for mucinous cystic tumour, but this cannot specify however the nature of the tumor. The postpartum occurrence could establish a possible relationship between hormonal levels encountered during pregnancy and the development of this tumor, taking into considerations the ovarian-type stroma and the presence of hormone (estrogen and progesterone) receptors in this neoplasm. Central pancreatectomy without anastomosis preserves the functions of pancreas, and also decreases morbidity.

Keywords

• pancreas
• mucinous cystadenoma
• central pancreatectomy
• pregnancy