Update on mucinous cystic neoplasm of the pancreas: A narrative review

Abstract

Mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN) of the pancreas is an exocrine cystic tumor with a potential of harboring malignancy. The latest World Health Organization classification of tumors of digestive system designates malignant MCN as MCN with associated invasive carcinoma (MCN-AIC). Since its separation from other pancreatic cystic tumors in 1978, much progress has been made in our understanding of MCN in epidemiology, clinical and pathological features, biological behavior, as well as prognostic characteristics. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge of MCN and MCN-AIC.