Pancreaticoduodenectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma: report of a case

Metastasis to the pancreas from a distant primary cancer is uncommon, most cases being detected in the advanced stages of disease, often multiple in number, and diffusely displayed beyond surgical salvage. A solitary metastasis in the head of the pancreas is rarely encountered and although potentially amenable to surgical resection, surgeons are hesitant to perform pancreaticoduodenectomy for metastatic disease. Renal cell carcinoma is one malignancy with a propensity to metastasize to the pancreas. We report herein the case of a solitary pancreatic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma successfully treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy in a middle-aged man. A discussion on the indications and effectiveness of performing pancreaticoduodenectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma is also presented.