Please verify your email address to receive email notifications.

Enter your email address

We have sent you a verification email. Please check your inbox and spam folder.

Unable to send verification, please refresh and try again later.

  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Why are pancreatic cysts found more often now?

    answer this question

  • Find a professional to answer your question

  • 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

    Modern imaging is very sensitive. High-quality CT and MRI scans frequently detect tiny cysts that were previously never seen.

    This has created a new challenge:

    How do we distinguish cysts that can safely be ignored from those that need follow-up?

    Specialists use international guidelines and imaging features to make this decision.

    Features doctors look for

    When evaluating a cyst, we consider things like:

    Size of the cyst

    Growth over time

    Presence of solid areas or nodules

    Whether the pancreatic duct is enlarged

    Symptoms (pain, pancreatitis, jaundice)

    Family history and overall health

    Most small cysts without worrying features simply require periodic surveillance — if any at all.

    Reply to this post
     · 
    Report
    Reply to this post

    You must be a Health Professional to reply to this post. to your account or now (it's free).

answer this question

You must be a Health Professional to answer this question. Log in or Sign up .

Empowering Australians to make better health choices