Pancreatic cysts: symptoms, causes, types, tests and what happens next

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust says that in most cases pancreatic IPMN cysts do not cause any symptoms and most people do not know they have them. They are usually found on images from scans done for a different reason. If symptoms do occur, the Trust lists them below.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals adds that IPMN cysts, which are often filled with mucus, may not cause symptoms but can lead to pancreatitis or blockage of the pancreatic ducts. The Trust also says a pseudocyst is a fluid collection around the pancreas that can be a late complication of pancreatitis.

• Pain in your tummy (abdomen).

• Feeling or being sick.

• Jaundice, meaning yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes.

• Unintentional weight loss.

Guy's and St Thomas' lists the symptoms above as ones to take seriously, so report new ones promptly rather than waiting for the next scan. The NHS gives the following general advice for symptoms that can come from the pancreas.

The NHS says to ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if the whites of your eyes or your skin turn yellow, which it describes as a sign of something that can be serious, sometimes with itchy skin, darker pee and paler poo. For pancreatic cancer symptoms it also says to get help if you are being sick for more than 2 days or have diarrhoea for more than 7 days.

The NHS page on acute pancreatitis says to call 999 or go to A&E if you get sudden, severe tummy pain and the pain is spreading to your back, you have bloating that does not go away, a fast heartbeat or difficulty breathing. Do not drive yourself; ask someone to drive you or call 999.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals describes the main types. The sources read do not describe a single cause; the type depends on what the cyst is. For IPMN, Guy's and St Thomas' says there is sometimes a change in the cells that line the pancreatic duct and the cyst can develop into a cancerous tumour. For a pseudocyst, Leeds says the cause is pancreatitis, as a late complication.

IPMN cysts may involve the main pancreatic duct (main duct IPMN) or a branch of the duct (side branch-type IPMN). Leeds says main duct IPMNs have a greater chance of transforming into cancer than side branch IPMN cysts. Guy's and St Thomas' describes IPMN as benign, meaning not a form of cancer, but carefully monitored because pancreatic cancer can be difficult to treat.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals says a combination of clinical history and imaging, such as MRI or CT, is used to diagnose pancreatic cysts. Guy's and St Thomas' lists MRI scan, CT scan and ultrasound as the types of scan that can detect or monitor an IPMN.

The specialist liver and pancreas team reviews the cyst and talks to you about the risks and agrees what action to take. The sources read do not describe other tests in detail; your specialist will explain whether anything further, such as blood tests, is needed in your case.

For many people, Guy's and St Thomas' says the team will monitor with regular scans to check for any changes. How often this happens depends on the size of the cyst, how far it extends within the pancreatic tubes and whether there is a family history of pancreatic cancer. Leeds says you may be placed in a surveillance programme, which requires regular scans.

For others, monitoring is not thought to be helpful, usually because the IPMN is very small, the patient does not want major pancreas surgery, or the patient is not fit enough for it. In high-risk cases, surgery may be considered to remove the cyst from the pancreas to reduce the risk of cancer. Guy's and St Thomas' says this might be keyhole (laparoscopic) or open surgery to remove part, or all, of the pancreas, depending on where the cysts are. Leeds says surgery may be recommended for a mucinous cystic neoplasm.

The sources read give no specific diet for pancreatic cysts. Guy's and St Thomas' says smoking, alcohol and being overweight can increase the risk of cancer developing and are best avoided. If your cyst is linked to pancreatitis, treatment of the pancreatitis itself may include support to stop drinking alcohol or surgery for gallstones, according to the NHS page on acute pancreatitis. Ask your specialist team about eating and drinking advice for your situation.

Cysts found on a scan are usually referred to a specialist liver and pancreas (hepatobiliary) team, which sets the monitoring plan. Surveillance can be arranged within the NHS. Some people have the scans privately; whichever route you use, ask for the plan in writing, who reviews the scans, how results reach you, and who to contact if symptoms appear between scans. Guts UK is named by Guy's and St Thomas' as a charity offering information and support on diseases of the digestive tract, including the pancreas.