Management of Incidentally Discovered Pancreatic Cysts

NCT ID: NCT00550108

Last Updated: 2008-06-26

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: TERMINATED
• Clinical Phase: PHASE3
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2007-10-31
• Study Completion Date: 2012-10-31

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the natural history of pancreatic cysts and to determine if these cysts can be effectively treated with a less invasive therapy (ethanol injection vs periodic imaging) rather than surgical resection

Detailed Description

The appropriate management of patients with cystic lesions of the pancreas is controversial. The identification of small asymptomatic pancreatic cysts is increasing due to an improvement in the quality of radiologic imaging and the frequency that imaging is obtained. However, the natural history of these lesions is unknown1. The current consensus guidelines established at the International Consensus Conference in Sendai, Japan in 2005 suggest that branch chain IPMNs and mucinous cystic neoplasms that cause no symptoms, measure <3cm, and have no nodules can be observed with periodic imaging. However, the time course of these pre malignant mucinous lesions, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) or mucinous cystadenomas, from benign to malignant has not been determined. Due to the unknown natural history, and diagnostic uncertainty, some authors have recommended routine resection2, 3. Resection, despite improvements in surgical outcomes after pancreatectomy at high volume centers, carries a mortality and morbidity of 1-6% and 35-51%, respectively4-6. More recently studies are reporting a more selective approach to avoid the risk of operation in patients with benign lesions7. Improved radiographic and endoscopic studies have been able to identify some lesions with increased malignant potential8, 9. Thus, most patients will undergo pancreas specific radiologic imaging and endoscopic ultrasound with cyst aspiration. Since the natural history of cystic lesions is poorly understood no clear guidelines for surgical resection have been established. Some of the cysts will grow over time, with an increase in the cumulative risk of malignancy. Therefore, the therapeutic alternatives are to wait and watch for a change in the cyst morphology or to treat preemptively, which has been restricted to surgical resection. Based on the pilot study performed by Dr. William Brugge, at Massachusetts General Hospital, ethanol lavage of pancreatic cysts is safe and will result in a decrease in cyst diameter in 61% of patients. Additionally, if patients elect to not be treated preemptively it is unclear how to best follow these patients in terms of the type and the frequency of follow up studies.

Conditions

Pancreatic Cyst

Keywords

pancreatic cyst; ethanol injection

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

A

Observation of pancreatic cysts

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

B

Ethanol lavage of pancreatic cysts

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Ethanol lavage

Intervention Type: OTHER

Ethanol lavage of pancreatic cysts.

Interventions

Ethanol lavage

Ethanol lavage of pancreatic cysts.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Cyst between 1-3cm
• No evidence of a mural nodule, solid component, or septations in the cyst
• For patients with multiple cysts, the largest will be evaluated

Exclusion Criteria

• Any imaging or cytology concerning for malignancy
• Pancreatic Pseudocyst
• Gross Cyst >3cm as measured on MRCP
• Clinically active pancreatitis or serum amylase or lipase >3x upper limit of normal
• Coagulopathy (INR>1.5, PTT>100, Platelets<50K)
• Inability to tolerate conscious sedation and endoscopy
• Rated ASA IV or greater
• Prior EUS and aspiration of the pancreatic cyst
• Breast feeding
• Pregnancy

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 90 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Massachusetts General Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Massachusetts General Hospital

Principal Investigators

Cristina R Ferrone, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Massachusetts General Hospital

Locations

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Countries

United States

References

Fernandez-del Castillo C, Targarona J, Thayer SP, Rattner DW, Brugge WR, Warshaw AL. Incidental pancreatic cysts: clinicopathologic characteristics and comparison with symptomatic patients. Arch Surg. 2003 Apr;138(4):427-3; discussion 433-4. doi: 10.1001/archsurg.138.4.427.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 12686529 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

2007-P-000420

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id