Mucinous Cystic Neoplasms of the Liver: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management

Abstract

Mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) are rare tumors of the liver, occasionally seen in the biliary tree. Epidemiologic data are limited by their indolence and recent changes to diagnostic criteria. They are considered premalignant lesions capable of invasive behavior. While their etiology remains unknown, their female predominance, age of onset, and hormonally responsive ovarian-type stroma suggest ectopic organogenesis during embryologic development. MCNs can typically be recognized on imaging; yet, invasiveness is often indeterminate, and percutaneous tissue biopsy has shown limited value. Therefore, complete excision is recommended for all lesions as focal malignant transformation and metastatic disease has been reported.