Serous cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas: a population-based study

Abstract Background Serous cystadenocarcinoma (SCAc) of the pancreas is an exceptionally rare malignant pancreatic neoplasm, and its clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and prognosis remain poorly defined. The aim of this population-based study was to characterize the demographic and clinical features, treatment patterns, and survival of patients with pancreatic SCAc. Methods Patients with microscopically confirmed SCAc were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry. Demographic, tumor-related, treatment, and survival data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results Twenty-one patients with SCAc were identified. Median age at diagnosis was 69 years, and 13 patients (62%) were female. Tumors most frequently involved the pancreatic body or tail. Disease was localized in 4 patients (19%), regional in 6 (29%), distant in 9 (43%), and unstaged in 2 (10%). Surgical resection was performed in 12 patients (57%), and 6 (29%) received chemotherapy. Estimated 5-year overall survival (OS) was 60.5% for the overall cohort. Five-year OS was 73.3% among patients who underwent resection and 44.4% among those who did not. Conclusions Pancreatic SCAc is a rare malignancy with frequent involvement of the pancreatic body or tail. Surgical resection was the most common treatment, whereas chemotherapy was used in a minority of patients. Population-based data suggest relatively favorable long-term survival.