What You Need to Know About Pancreatic Cysts

Anne Marie Lennon, MD, Professor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Director of the Multidisciplinary Pancreatic Cyst Program, discusses the prevalence, types, and best approaches to managing pancreatic cysts.

Johns Hopkins Gastroenterology and Hepatology

The Multidisciplinary Pancreatic Cyst Program at Johns Hopkins

[etowers]

A Mexican woman, we know, living in Southern California had severe Leukemia and told she had short time to live. She called her mother in Mexican village who rejected her death and began sending her powdered rattle snake through mail, and told to sprinkle on her food 2 times a day. She was cured from leukemia and doctors were baffled. She did not want to tell them she never toolk the medications they gave herr only the snake powder. 20 plus years she is healthy and no trace of leukemia.

[mexicanaairlines]

Had acute pancreatitis at age 23 due to very high triglycerides left me with an undiagnosed pseudocyst for 6 years until it went from bad to worst. At 29 had multiple flares and each was worst, lost 75lbs in 2 months and became borderline anemic. I was told it was a small cyst on the tail of my pancreas but all I needed was norco pills 💊. Went to 8 different hospitals and they just prescribed more narcotics saying it is what it is. It’s not until I bumped into a real doctor that could perform surgeries of that caliber that really took a look with double contrast ct scan and removed my spleen that was damaged, the pseudocyst and reshaped my pancreas and removed my gallbladder. Before even if I modified my diet I would get flares with water because a 12cm pseudocyst was pressing up against my stomach. That surgeon returned the quality of life and I feel much better. The biggest thing is not to give up good luck to everyone.

[biaedwards]

Dr. Lennon thank you for an excellent presentation. Information like this allows us to follow up our condition.

[shellebellesvideos]

I had ovarian cancer - endometriodal adenocarcinoma in 2018. CA 125 and CA 19-9 were sky high back then. Went thru surgery and chemo. Beat the cancer and tumor markers are now extremely low. Some time after treatment, I developed Type 2 diabetes. In March 2021, my CT scan showed a side branch IPMN. Began a ketogenic diet to get my diabetes under control. Cut the A1C in half thru the ketogenic diet. Lost a ton of weight. Now not even considered pre-diabetic. Had another CT scan in October 2021, IPMN remained unchanged so it was definitely a benign cyst. Fast forward to May 2024, had another CT scan. Several doctors and radiologist have reviewed my results, and they can't even see the IPMN on my pancreas anymore. Results list my pancreas as normal appearing. Even the cysts found on my liver and kidney could no longer be seen. Liver is no longer a fatty liver and is now considered unremarkable. Liver function tests are now normal and have been for a couple years now. Kidney function tests have improved considerably. I must be doing something right.

[lothungbeniovung]

Presentation is so clear and very informative.
Thank you doc.

[jamieknight]

Thank you for this clear explanation. It has helped me to understand the language and a general sense of what things mean.

[OGMann]

Looking forward to watching this. My wife family is riddled with cancer. Her parents and a maternal aunt passed from pancreatic cancer. Her maternal uncle has it, now. A paternal aunt was just diagnosed with breast cancer. A half-brother (same mother) died of colon cancer. Ridiculous. Looking for environmental factors. Today, after months of symptoms, she was diagnosed with abnormal pancreatic parenchymal structures, specifically hyperechoic strands. She has a 1.5mm cyst on the pancreas head, and ipmi sidechaines. Her pancreas does not seem to be draining correctly (220 fluid) and gallstones. Waiting on some other test results, but I'm praying it's pancreatitis controllable with diet.

[kellysims]

What symptoms do others have? Mine are getting worse. I swear this all started when I had my gallbladder removed. I was barely out of surgery and my Dr. said " Look at this picture, you can see how diseased it was." I said to him " How would I know? I never saw a healthy one!" I live in a rural area and you really want to be in a big city.

[Teenibash]

Thank you Dr Lennon. A recent CT scan has shown a cyst on my pancreas. I have a painful, stabbing pain in my left side. Waiting on an MRI scan.

[garrywilson]

Thank you so much for sharing your expert knowledge it has been very valuable to me. Please ignore the inane and crude comments from a couple below and continue to provide such comfort and support from concerned people such as me. Peter Australia

[paulsdrc]

Outstanding, I learned a lot. I have an IPMN that’s growing at about 5mm every 6 months, the doctors seem to be taking a wait and see stance. The problem is I’ve already been through prostate cancer, so I am understandingly apprehensive.

[栗原ミア]

Thank you, very informative
GOD bless you always.

[colleend]

Thank you for this video. My dad was diagnosed stage 4 pancreatic cancer following a car accident. Up until then, he had no idea. He lived 22 months post diagnosis. He was a heavy drinker early in life and a 2-3 pack a day smoker. My cousin is in his 40’s and was diagnosed stage 1 and did the whipple. He was ok for 2 years and now it is back and not going well. I am going to undergo genetic testing I hope after Covid as the cousin shows some kind of markers.

[WildGaucha]

Thank you for the articulate information. I needed this for clarification.

[madeskartengyaya]

thank u dr.anne marie lennon.. and hopkins staff are nice... doctors, nurses, tech, and all in all thank u guys..

[nzland]

Thank you for simply explaining IPMN for me to understand as I research my personal health with branch IPMN with a cyst increasing in size

[taimanyortiz]

Thank you for this video. You never mentioned the 3rd IPMN type

[MarysUTubeVideos]

Thank you for the informative video, will share with family who may benefit from your video discussion. Best regards!

[garryshilson-josling]

Interesting outline, but you said there were 3 types of IPMN but then only described 2 (main and branch duct). What was the 3rd?

[honohernandez]

Thank you for this information. I've been diagnosed with a pancreatic cyst and my doctors are recommending the Whipple procedure. I am looking for a second opinion - I'm in the Arizona area.