[Cystic pancreas neoplasias]

For the treatment of cystic changes of the pancreas, it is essential to distinguish cysts and pseudocysts from neoplasm. Since clinical parameters are usually not characteristic, only morphologic analysis will prove a diagnosis. Nowadays, the cystic pancreatic neoplasms are described as: microcystic adenoma (rich-in-glycogene cystadenoma), and mucinous cystic neoplasms (cystadenocarcinoma or cystadenoma). Morphology, etiology, clinical findings, and treatment are discussed on 3 cases. The new classification of cystic pancreatic neoplasms is important for prognosis in two aspects: 1) On the clinical finding of a pseudocyst, every surgeon should think of a mucinous cystic neoplasm and look for solid tumours digitally. 2) For the pathologist, any mucinous neoplasm should cause him to analyse such cysts macroscopically and, if possible, also microscopically, to rule out an adenocarcinoma.