Abstract

Background: Mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) of the pancreas are rare and predominantly affect middle-aged women. These tumors are typically asymptomatic and discovered incidentally through imaging modalities like computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging.
Case Presentation: We present a case of a 31-year-old woman with recurrent abdominal pain and weight loss over 2 years. Laboratory findings showed leukocytosis and elevated liver enzymes, platelets, and cancer antigen 125. A CT scan revealed a multiloculated cystic mass in the pancreatic tail. She underwent tumor resection, including distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy, distal transverse colon resection, anastomosis, and cholecystectomy to prevent malignant transformation and metastasis. Histopathology confirmed a mucinous cystadenoma without atypia or malignancy. Post-operative recovery and follow-up were uneventful, with significant improvement in quality of life.
Results: This case underscores the importance of early diagnosis and surgical management to prevent malignancy in MCNs of the pancreas, which generally leads to an optimal outcome.
Conclusion: Early identification and intervention are critical to preventing the malignant progression of MCNs. Despite the ongoing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges posed by their rarity, accurate diagnosis and effective management are achievable. Surgical resection stands as the unequivocally most effective treatment strategy, consistently delivering favorable patient outcomes.

Key words: cyst, mucinous, neoplasm, pancreas, tumor, case report