UVA Health offers new pancreatic cyst treatment

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - UVA Health is offering a new treatment for pancreatic cysts, the first of its kind in the commonwealth.

At least 20% of pancreatic cancers come from the cysts, said gastroenterologist Doctor Ross Buerlein, who studies digestive health at UVA. With pancreatic cancer being the third deadliest cancer, Buerlein said it is important the hospital advances its treatments of these cysts.

Now, an ultrasound is helping to make treating these cysts less invasive.

“We know that these pancreatic cysts are more prevalent than we used to understand,” Buerlein said. “I think this EUS-guided chemoablation really holds a hope for helping us to curb that curve.”

Buerlein also said seniors are most likely to get these cysts, and they are becoming increasingly common.

Some studies suggest up to 30% of people over the age of 65 will get these cysts.

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