Dr. Rishi Chadha, MD is a board‑certified gastroenterologist who specializes in preventive gastroenterology, colorectal cancer screening, and minimally invasive endoscopic procedures. He completed his fellowship at Sunrise Health GME in Las Vegas and previously trained in internal medicine at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Connecticut.
A pancreatic cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops within or on the surface of the pancreas. While most are benign, some can cause discomfort or lead to complications and require monitoring or treatment.
He reviews your symptoms, past pancreatitis or pancreatic injury, family history, alcohol use, and other risk factors.
Blood work checks pancreatic enzymes (amylase, lipase), liver function, and rules out infection or inflammation.
EUS-guided needle aspiration obtains cyst fluid to measure tumor markers, mucin levels, and perform cytology, helping distinguish benign from potentially malignant cysts.
Dr. Rishi Chadha, MD is a board‑certified gastroenterologist who specializes in preventive gastroenterology, colorectal cancer screening, and minimally invasive endoscopic procedures. He completed his fellowship at Sunrise Health GME in Las Vegas and previously trained in internal medicine at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Connecticut.
The ICD 10 code for a pancreatic cyst is K86.3, which covers both true cysts and pseudocysts of the pancreas.
Pseudocysts typically develop after pancreatitis and lack an epithelial lining, whereas true cysts have a defined epithelial wall. Advanced imaging like MRI or endoscopic ultrasound EUS helps distinguish them.
Watch for upper abdominal pain or pressure, feeling full after small meals, nausea, vomiting, unplanned weight loss, and in rare cases, yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Diagnosis usually involves abdominal ultrasound or CT scan, MRI or EUS for detailed assessment, and lab tests or cyst fluid analysis to check enzyme levels and rule out infection.
Most pancreatic cysts are benign. However, certain types, especially mucinous cysts, carry a risk of malignancy and may require periodic surveillance or removal.
Yes. Many patients are managed successfully with diet and lifestyle modifications, medications, and minimally invasive endoscopic procedures such as cyst drainage or needle aspiration.
Most people return to normal within 2 to 3 days.
Start with low fat foods, then reintroduce others slowly.
Yes. Most plans cover scans, tests, and procedures. We will help with authorizations.
If you have belly pain, weight loss, or a known cyst, call Dr. Chadha for an evaluation.
