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What Could Cause Multiple Cysts in the Pancreatic Tail?

Producing digestive juices and hormones to regulate glucose processing is the major function of the pancreas. Cysts or pseudo-cysts may form on the head, body or tail of the pancreas. Causes of pancreatic cysts vary or may be unknown. Although most pancreatic cysts are benign, others may cause severe symptoms or may be precancerous. Understanding the pancreas and its functions is essential when assessing causes of multiple cysts on the tail of the pancreas.

  1. Understanding the Pancreas

    • The pancreas is a leaf-shaped, elongated endocrine gland, about 6 inches long, located in the upper abdomen in front of the spine and behind the stomach. The tail of the pancreas is positioned at the left extremity and touches the spleen. Lab Tests Online notes that small ducts in the pancreas move pancreatic fluid into the pancreatic duct. Fluids are carried by the pancreatic duct from the tail to the head, into the upper small intestine (duodenum). The pancreatic duct and the bile duct, carrying their digestive enzymes, meet before entering the duodenum and share an opening to the small intestine.

    Diseases of the Pancreas

    • Pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and pancreatic insufficiency comprise the primary diseases of the pancreas. Pancreatitis occurs when digestive enzymes do not make it to the duodenum and are activated inside the pancreas, eating the pancreas itself. This results in inflammation of the pancreas and may cause abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Lab Tests Online reports that pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Adenocarcinomas in the exocrine tissues constitute 95 percent of pancreatic cancers. Pancreatic insufficiency occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce necessary levels of digestive enzymes to aid food absorption in the intestine.

    Types of Cysts

    • Cysts are a collection of fluid-filled pockets. According to the MayoClinic.com, pancreatic cysts may not be “true” cysts in the sense their cell types are different from composition of true cyst cells. These types of cysts are called pseudo-cysts and are filled with tissue debris, digestive enzymes and fluid. Cells on the walls of pseudo-cysts are often composed of the same cell types found in other organs. MedicineNet.com notes that two types of cysts are regularly found in the pancreas tail or body. Serous cyst adenomas tend to be small, benign, and rarely cause symptoms. Thirty percent of mucinous cyst adenomas are cancerous and the remaining 70 percent are categorized at precancerous. Both of these noninflammatory cysts often occur in middle-aged women.

    Symptoms of Pancreatic Cysts

    • Types of cystic fluids vary depending on cyst type. For example, pancreatitis may form a pseudo-cyst, which contains high levels of digestive enzymes. The MayoClinic.com states possible symptoms of this type of pseudo-cyst are "persistent abdominal pain, which may radiate to your back, a mass you may be able to feel in your upper abdomen, and nausea and vomiting" Cysts can become infected and rupture. In some cases, cystic fluid drains and affects blood vessels, resulting in internal bleeding. See the doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms: severe abdominal pain, unconsciousness, rapid heartbeat, fainting or jaundice.

    Causes and Risk Factors for Pancreatic Cysts

    • Frequently, the cause of pancreatic cysts is unknown. A rare illness--such as Hippel-Lindau disease, a genetic disorder--can cause cysts in the pancreas. Pseudo-cysts can develop as a result of pancreatitis. Risk factors for pancreatitis include heavy alcohol consumption, gallstones, cystic fibrosis, hypercalcemia, hyperlipidemia and autoimmune conditions. Finally, pancreatic cysts can be the result of blunt trauma to the abdomen.

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