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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Are pancreatic cysts cancerous?

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  • Dr Zaki Hamarneh

    Gastroenterologist

    Dr Zaki Hamarneh is an Australian-trained Gastroenterologist and Interventional Endoscopist. He completed his specialist training in Gastroenterology and Hepatology in South Australia then undertook additional … View Profile

    This is usually the first question patients ask — and the answer is:

    Most pancreatic cysts are NOT cancer.

    There are several different types, and their behaviour varies. Broadly speaking:

    Low-risk cysts

    These are very common and often require little or no ongoing intervention.

    Examples include:

    Simple cysts

    Serous cysts (typically benign)

    Cysts that need monitoring

    Some cysts have a small risk of turning into cancer over many years.

    The most common example is:

    IPMN (Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm)

    A type of cyst that can produce mucus and may change slowly over time. Even when monitoring is needed, the aim is early detection and prevention, not because cancer is already present.

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