The pancreas — a spongy, tadpole-shaped organ located behind the stomach — makes enzymes our bodies need to digest food and hormones to regulate blood sugar levels. If the pancreas is injured, its ducts, which carry enzyme-containing juices, can become blocked. This can lead to the development of a fluid-filled sac called a pancreatic pseudocyst.

A pseudocyst isn’t a true cyst, because the wall of the sac is not composed of a specific lining of cells characteristic of a true cyst.

The most common cause of damage to the pancreas is inflammation, called pancreatitis. A less common cause or contributor is trauma, such as a blow to the abdomen. Pancreatitis is most commonly caused by alcohol abuseand gallstones.

Rarely, pseudocysts form on the spleen, an organ of the lymphatic system, which fights infection and keeps body fluids in balance. When a pseudocyst of the spleen happens, it is usually caused by trauma.

Here’s what you need to know about pseudocysts and their treatment.

Pseudocyst Symptoms

Although the symptoms of pseudocysts may be different for different people, some of the most common are abdominal pain and bloating.

Other symptoms may include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• diarrhea
• fever
• a tender mass in abdomen
• yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity

If you have any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor to determine the cause.

Pseudocyst Treatment

Often pseudocysts get better and go away on their own. If a pseudocyst is small and not causing serious symptoms, a doctor may want to monitor it with periodic CT scans. If the pseudocyst persists, gets larger, or causes pain, it will require surgical treatment. If not monitored or treated, a pseudocyst can become infected or rupture, causing severe pain, blood loss and abdominal infection.

Surgery for Pseudocysts

For pseudocysts requiring treatment, surgery is usually necessary. During surgery to correct a pseudocyst, the surgeon usually makes a connection between the pseudocyst and a nearby digestive organ. This allows the pseudocyst to drain through that organ. Depending on the location of the pseudocyst within the pancreas, that connection may be with the stomach, small intestine, or duodenum, the upper end of the small intestine.

In some cases, this surgery is done laparoscopically. That means it’s performed through small incisions in the abdomen, using slender tools and a lighted scope. This procedure minimizes hospitalization and recovery time.

Mycosis fungoides

Mycosis fungoides (MF), also known as Alibert-Bazin syndrome, is a low-grade type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in which white blood cells called lymphctyes become cancerous and affect the skin. Mycosis fungoides, named because of the mushroom fungus look of advanced stages of the disease, is a T-cell lymphoma. MF is more common in men than women. Most patients are in their 50s and 60s. MF generally affects the skin, but may progress to internal organs or the lymph nodes.

Common mycosis fungoides symptoms

Mycosis fungoides is the most common type of skin lymphoma. Its symptoms vary from patient to patient. MF is often mistaken for eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis, making it difficult to diagnose at first. Several biopsies may be needed to confirm the diagnosis. Symptoms include:

• Rash
• Tumors
• Skin lesions
• Patches
• Itching

NOTE: These symptoms may be attributed to a number of conditions other than cancer. It is important to consult with a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis.

Advanced treatments for mycosis fungoides

Common mycosis fungoides treatments include:

Chemotherapy: For patients with refractory disease, chemotherapy may be provided as a single drug or a combination of drugs. Some chemotherapy drugs may be used to treat earlier forms of skin lymphoma, as topical ointments or creams applied directly to the skin.

Radiation: External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) may be used to treat mycosis fungoides. One method for delivering the radiation involves treating the skin over the whole body with rays of tiny particles called electrons. Recommendations for radiation therapy delivery depend on the type and stage of the cancer.

Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy drugs are used to attack specific parts of lymphoma cells or to increase the immune system’s response to them. These drugs may work in situations where chemotherapy does not.

Corticosteroids: These drugs are made up of cortisol, a naturally-occurring hormone that may affect immune cells such as lymphocytes. Corticosteroids may be taken as pills and injections, or applied directly to the skin in the form of ointments, gels and creams. They also may be injected directly into skin lesions. When applied to the skin, less of the drug is absorbed, resulting in fewer side effects. Long-term use of topical corticosteroids may cause the skin in that area to thin out.

Immunotherapy: Immune therapy drugs used to treat skin lymphomas are designed to help destroy lesions. The drug is most often delivered in the form of a cream. When applied to skin lesions, the drug is designed to activate the immune system to destroy cancer cells.