# Mucinous Cystic Neoplasms in Male Patients: Histopathological and Molecular Diagnoses

## TL;DR

Mucinous cystic neoplasms in men are rare and hard to diagnose, but studying their tissue and molecular features can improve detection and treatment.

## Contribution

This paper adds two new male cases of mucinous cystic neoplasms and emphasizes the role of histopathology and molecular analysis in diagnosis.

## Key findings

- MCNs in men are rare, comprising about 2% of reported cases and posing diagnostic challenges.
- KRAS mutations are strongly associated with disease progression in MCNs.
- Histopathological and molecular analyses are crucial for accurate diagnosis and understanding of MCNs in men.

## Abstract

Mucinous cystic neoplasms are rare pancreatic tumors that mostly affect women, making their occurrence in men extremely uncommon and difficult to diagnose. These cystic tumors can become cancerous, so early detection and surgical removal are crucial. Recent studies, including this report of two new male cases, emphasize the importance of examining tissue characteristics and using molecular tools, such as KRAS mutation analysis, to better understand and diagnose the disease. These findings help us better understand how mucinous cystic neoplasms behave in men and could lead to better research, more accurate diagnoses, and improved treatment guidelines for rare pancreatic tumors in both men and women.

Cystic mucinous neoplasms (MCNs) of the pancreas are rare cystic tumors, accounting for approximately 2–5% of all pancreatic neoplasms. They predominantly occur in premenopausal women and are typically located in the body or tail of the pancreas. Due to their potential for malignant transformation, especially in cases associated with invasive carcinoma such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, early detection, complete surgical resection, and rigorous postoperative surveillance are essential. The occurrence of MCNs in male patients is exceedingly rare, comprising only about 2% of reported cases, and often resulting in preoperative diagnostic challenges. Molecular analyses have identified a strong association between KRAS mutations and disease progression in MCNs, underscoring their potential role as prognostic markers despite limited diagnostic utility. In this report, we present two additional cases of MCNs in male patients, highlighting their histopathological features and the ancillary investigations undertaken to support diagnosis.