What is a pancreas?
Your pancreas is a 6-inch gland located below your liver, between your
stomach and your spine. The pancreas is made up of 3 parts: a "head" that is
tucked into the duodenum (the upper part of the small intestine); a flattened,
longer "body;" and a "tail" that is connected to the spleen.
Your pancreas makes potent digestive enzymes and hormones that help manage
blood glucose (blood sugar). Normally, these enzymes and hormones do not become
active until they exit the pancreas and enter other parts of the body.
Your pancreas also produces bicarbonates that neutralize stomach acids. Small
ducts (tubes) move these fluids into a larger pancreatic duct, down into the
duodenum. The common bile duct also carries bile (a substance that breaks down
fats) from your liver and gall bladder through the head of the pancreas into
your small intestine.
What is pancreatitis?An inflammation of the pancreas is called pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can
either be acute (a sudden, sharp, and/or severe attack) or chronic (recurring
and/or lasting for a long period of time). When the pancreas is inflamed,
digestive enzymes become activated while still inside the pancreas, which can
cause the pancreas to begin "digesting" its own tissues.
The two most common causes of pancreatitis are gallstones (bile that has
hardened into little pebble-like masses) and chronic, heavy alcohol use.
Pancreatitis can also result from certain diseases or injury. Pancreatic
pseudocysts can develop as a serious complication of pancreatitis.
What is a pancreatic cyst?
A pancreatic cyst is a closed sac lined with epithelium and located on or in
your pancreas. Pancreatic cysts contain a pool of pancreatic fluid or semisolid
matter made up of debris or destroyed tissue.
They can range from benign pseudocysts (see below) to malignant cysts
(cancerous and spreading.) The cause of a particular pancreatic cyst is often
unknown. Some pancreatic cysts result from certain rare diseases, such as von
Hippel-Lindau disease (a genetic disorder).
What is a pancreatic pseudocyst?
A pancreatic pseudocyst is a type of cyst that it is not contained inside an
enclosed sac of its own with an epithelium lining. Instead, the pseudocyst forms
within a cavity or space inside the pancreas and is surrounded by fibrous
tissue. Pancreatic pseudocysts do contain inflammatory pancreatic fluid
(particularly the digestive enzyme amalyse) or semisolid matter.
Pancreatic pseudocysts:
- Are health problems caused by acute or chronic pancreatitis.
- Are caused by a blockage in the pancreatic ductal system.
- Are round or oval in shape.
- Are the most common pancreatic cystic lesions (about 75% to 80% of all
pancreatic cystic lesions).
- Are benign (non-cancerous).
- Affect approximately 1 in 1,000 adults per year.