Pancreatic endometrioma in a post-menopausal woman: A rare differential diagnosis for cystic lesions of the pancreas

Koci S., DİNÇER H. A., ARSLAN A., KİKİ Z., SÖKMENSÜER C., DOĞRUL A. B.

SURGICAL PRACTICE, 2025 (ESCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/1744-1633.12740
  • Journal Name: SURGICAL PRACTICE
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough endometriosis is a relatively common condition affecting women, pancreatic endometriosis remains rare, with only a few cases reported in the literature. The primary challenges this condition poses today are its inability to be diagnosed radiologically and the difficulty in distinguishing it from other cystic lesions of the pancreas preoperatively.MethodsThis report presents a case of a 53-year-old female patient with 3 months long left upper quadrant pain and no previous medical history. Imaging revealed an enlarging cyst in the tail of the pancreas, with findings suggestive of a mucinous neoplasm.ResultsThe patient underwent a distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. Histopathological analysis confirmed the presence of endometrial stroma.ConclusionsConsidering the possibility of pancreatic endometriosis may help avoid extensive surgery. However, as the definite diagnosis of endometriosis remains histopathological, surgical resection continues to be the treatment of choice if malignancy is suspected.