Pancreas Cyst Clinic
At the Houston Methodist Pancreas Cyst Clinic, our mission is to improve patient outcomes by identifying high-risk pancreatic cysts early and providing personalized, evidence-based care that supports long-term health.
Our dedicated clinic is a collaboration between the Houston Methodist Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Underwood Center for Digestive Health, and Houston Methodist Imaging Center. We employ a protocol-driven, coordinated approach with a strong emphasis on early detection and consistent monitoring of precancerous cysts. Our multidisciplinary team includes specialists in gastroenterology, surgery, oncology and radiology, ensuring comprehensive and collaborative care for all patients.
Understanding Pancreatic Cysts & Why Expert Evaluation Matters
Pancreatic cysts are fluid-filled growths that develop in or on the pancreas. Many are discovered incidentally during imaging for unrelated conditions and often cause no symptoms. While most pancreatic cysts are benign, some have the potential to progress to cancer over time — which is why early detection and proactive evaluation is important. Identifying cysts early allows our specialists to monitor changes closely and intervene when needed, helping reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer and improving long-term health.
The challenge lies in determining which cysts can be safely monitored and which require closer observation or intervention. Even subtle changes in cyst size, structure or pancreatic duct involvement can significantly affect risk. Because these changes are not always obvious, expert review and structured follow-up are essential to ensure you receive the right care at the right time.
At the Pancreas Cyst Clinic, we take a thoughtful, individualized approach, recognizing that every patient’s circumstances are unique. Our specialists use the latest clinical guidelines, imaging technologies and diagnostic tools to establish the safest and most effective path forward for you.
Pancreatic Conditions We Evaluate & Manage
The Pancreas Cyst Clinic’s team provides individualized care for a broad range of pancreatic and digestive conditions, including:
- Acute pancreatitis
- Chronic pancreatitis (including resection, duct reconstruction and autotransplantation)
- Endocrine tumors
- Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN)
- Mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN)
- Neuroendocrine tumors
- Pancreatic cysts (benign and malignant)
- Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)
- Pseudocysts
- Solid pseudopapillary tumors
We welcome all patients with known or suspected pancreatic cysts. Some cases, however, indicate a higher risk for cancer and warrant prompt, expert evaluation, based on factors including cyst size, family history and unique circumstances. Your health care provider will work with you to determine when further evaluation is recommended.
How We Evaluate & Monitor Pancreatic Cysts
At the Pancreas Cyst Clinic, we provide comprehensive evaluation and long-term management of pancreatic cysts, with a strong focus on early detection and ongoing supervision. Our clinic’s services include:
- Coordinated, multidisciplinary care plans tailored to your individual risk
- Early intervention strategies aimed at improving long-term health outcomes
- Molecular testing, when appropriate, to support early pancreatic cancer detection
- Ongoing imaging and clinical surveillance to monitor for cyst progression over time
- Protocol-driven patient follow-up based on current best practices
- Risk stratification based on the latest clinical guidelines and imaging
Why Choose Houston Methodist for Your Pancreatic Cyst Care
Clear guidance for pancreatic care decisions
At Houston Methodist, our pancreatic specialists are propelled by their diverse and in-depth experience and innovative spirit to face even the most complex, high-risk cases. Our patients benefit from:
- Coordinated screening, diagnosis and treatment planning
- Access to advanced clinical trials and research that accelerate care, when appropriate
- Ongoing collaboration with your referring health care provider
- Daily collaboration that integrates innovative imaging and diagnostics with individualized care
- Minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgical options, when surgery is needed
While cancer prevention is a central focus at the Pancreas Cyst Clinic, this coordinated approach to care before, during and after surgery helps ensure patients receive the safest, most effective treatment at every stage — and enables us to maintain one of the lowest mortality rates in the country for pancreatic cancer.
Specialists dedicated to your pancreatic health
The Pancreas Cyst Clinic is led by Ashish Saharia, MD, a pancreatic surgery specialist with expertise in complex pancreatic conditions, and Sunil Dacha, MD, a gastroenterologist and advanced endoscopist with expertise in complex pancreatic conditions. Patients receive coordinated care delivered by a dedicated team of specialists in:
- Gastroenterology
- Oncology
- Pancreatic and hepatobiliary surgery
- Radiology
Our surgeons are highly experienced in minimally invasive and robot-assisted surgery techniques, and our physician team is nationally recognized for superior safety and quality measures. We continually push ourselves to reach beyond the care currently available, leading and participating in clinical trials that give our patients innovative treatment opportunities.