Your pancreas may not be top-of-mind in your everyday life, yet it’s fundamental to how your body works. This important gland produces enzymes that aid digestion and hormones, like insulin, that regulate your blood sugar and energy levels.
Pancreatic cysts often go undetected, sometimes discovered incidentally during abdominal imaging tests. But in some cases, cysts can disrupt the complex workings of your pancreas, leading to symptoms like unexplained weight loss, bloating, and abdominal pain.
If you have a pancreatic cyst, or suspect one, John Rivas, MD provides expert diagnosis and care at Rivas Digestive Center in Hollywood, Florida. Read on to learn about the causes of pancreatic cysts, and how they could impact your health.
Pinpointing the precise cause of a pancreatic cyst can be tricky — they sometimes appear for no clear reason. However, the following four factors may play a role in their development:
Damage from pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) can cause cysts or pseudocysts to form. Pseudocysts aren’t true cysts, but larger ones can have similar symptoms.
Pancreatitis can occur for several reasons, including long-term alcohol use, gallstones, infections, and certain medical conditions.
In some cases, your genes may influence your likelihood of developing pancreatic cysts. You may have a higher risk if pancreatic cancer runs in your family, or a hereditary condition linked to cysts, such as von Hippel-Landau disease, cystic fibrosis, or polycystic kidney disease.
Just like the rest of your body, the pancreas can change with age, and these natural changes may increase your risk of pancreatic cysts. Researchers estimate that cysts affect around 25% of people in their 70s.
Direct injury to the pancreas, like that from a car accident or a fall, can damage its tissue, leading to the formation of cysts or pseudocysts. Trauma may also trigger pancreatitis, which is itself a risk factor for pancreatic cysts.
While the risk of a pancreatic cyst turning into cancer is low (less than 1%), around 30% could potentially be cancerous — which is why getting it checked out by a specialist like Dr. Rivas is crucial.
Other complications, like a ruptured cyst or blockage of the pancreatic duct, bile duct, or gastrointestinal tract, can also happen in rare cases.
Dr. Rivas can assess the cyst to see if treatment is necessary, or if a “wait and see” approach is best. Most pancreatic cysts are benign and shrink or go away on their own, but regular checkups to monitor their size ensure we catch any problems early.
If you have concerns about a pancreatic cyst, or need expert advice on your digestive health, reach out to our team. Call Rivas Digestive Center to schedule an appointment, or conveniently book online.
