[Cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Apropos of 2 cases]

The authors report two cases of cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas and review the clinical, radiological and angiographic findings. The pathological study may be first disappointing, especially on frozen sections in the operating theater. The diagnosis depends essentially on the finding of an epithelial border which is difficult to demonstrate for it is often interrupted on one part of the circumference. Malignancy is suggested by the characteristics of the cells and the structural disorganisation. Total removal is necessary to avoid relapses, provided one removes neighbouring organs and all invaded lymph nodes. Cystadenomas and cystadeno-carcinomas are very rare tumours. The passage from one to the other seems inevitable. The necessity for surgery is thus absolute. However, if the malignant tumour is irremovable, an anastomosis between the cyst and the digestive tract may temporarily relieve the patient, especially as the course is sometimes rather slow.