Common Minor Changes

This chapter describes and illustrates a range of minor changes that can be observed relatively frequently in the pancreas. Most of these alterations are believed to develop in response to physiological changes, mild injury, or aging. The significance of these changes lies, therefore, in their correct identification and distinction from clinically more relevant lesions. However, recently, a few of these common changes have been implicated in the development of ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, as either a possible progenitor lesion or a sentinel change. The molecular mechanisms underlying the development of these apparently minor changes are currently being actively researched.