Pancreatic cysts are small fluid sacs that grow on the surface of the pancreas or within the pancreas. A recent guideline from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) in the journal Gastroenterology guides patients and physicians to better treat and monitor pancreatic cysts. Pancreatic cysts can occur singly or in multiples, and their incidence increases with age. Twenty-five percent of people over the age of 70 in the United States have pancreatic cysts. Most pancreatic cysts are harmless, but some patients may present with symptoms such as abdominal pain. A very small percentage of pancreatic cysts can also become malignant over time, and of the 100,000 people whose pancreatic cysts are detected on MRI, only 25 are malignant cysts. Most patients do not detect the presence of pancreatic cysts and only find them during physical examinations (e.g. MRI). I. A five-year, three-time follow-up plan If you have a pancreatic cyst, there is no need to panic. Be sure to believe that most cysts do not pose any problems. First, you should go to the hospital for an MRI to see carefully, as there are differences in the size and nature of cysts. Patients are advised to follow a 5-year follow-up plan, which means 3 MRI exams in 5 years. If there is no change in the cyst in 5 years, then it means that the malignancy rate is extremely low and there is little point in continuing monitoring. Thereafter, patients can discuss with their doctors to customize a treatment plan that suits them. Most pancreatic cysts do not require surgery Perhaps patients who find a pancreatic cyst are eager to have it removed to eliminate future problems, but surgery always carries some risks. About 30% of patients have serious complications after removal of the pancreas, including: pancreatic bleeding, infection, pancreatic fistula; damage to the spleen, stomach and intestines; diabetes; and rapid weight loss due to impaired digestive function. Of course, if the patient’s pancreatic cyst has a clear tendency to become malignant, the doctor will weigh the pros and cons of surgery to find the best treatment to eliminate symptoms and prevent cancer. Consult your doctor and establish a treatment plan Properly ask your doctor your questions, the following questions can be used as reference 1. What are the risk factors for pancreatic cancer and what is the risk of developing cancer 2. can MRI be done? If not, what are the alternative methods of examination? 3. How often should MRI be done according to the risk level of the disease? 4. If surgery is needed, where to find the best hospital and specialist.