Adenocarcinoma of the pancreas coexisting with pancreatic abscess

Of 20 patients treated for pancreatic abscess during the years 1984-1991, two patients were found to have adenocarcinoma of the pancreas associated with their pancreatic abscesses. In one patient an adenocarcinoma of the proximal pancreas caused ductal obstruction, which may have been the primary cause of an abscess distal to the tumor. In the second patient, metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas and a concurrent pancreatic abscess were found when the patient's abdomen was explored for complications related to gallstone pancreatitis. In both patients, the tumor was unresectable at presentation. A detailed review of these cases is presented as well as a review of the related literature.