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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
An Orthotopic Resectional Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer
Published on: September 24, 2020
[Metastatic lesions to the pancreas. When is resection reasonable?]
M Bahra1, D Jacob, J M Langrehr
1Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Transplantationschirurgie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin. marcus.bahra@charite.de
Background:
The significance of pancreatic resection for pancreatic metastatic lesions has not yet been sufficiently investigated. A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing pancreatic resections for pancreatic metastases was conducted.
Material And Methods:
Twenty patients were resected due to metastatic lesions to the pancreas. Histopathological findings were: renal cell carcinoma (n=9), colon carcinoma (n=1), malignant schwannoma (n=2), leiomyosarcoma (n=2), teratocarcinoma (n=1), adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus (n=1), gallbladder carcinoma (n=1), malignant melanoma (n=1), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (n=1), and spindle cell tumor (n=1). Operative procedures were standard pancreaticoduodenectomy (n=6), pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (n=6), and distal pancreatectomy (n=8).
Result:
The overall 5-year survival rate was 61%, for patients with renal cell carcinoma 100%.
Conclusion:
Pancreatic metastasectomy is a reasonable therapeutic option in suited patients. Patients with pancreatic metastases of renal cell carcinoma achieved excellent prognoses after radical resection.
Insights
Pancreatic metastasectomy offers a viable treatment for select patients. Those with kidney cancer metastases to the pancreas showed excellent survival after surgery.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
- Gastrointestinal Surgery
Context:
- Pancreatic metastases are rare but can significantly impact patient prognosis.
- The role of surgical resection for these lesions remains under-investigated.
- This study retrospectively analyzes outcomes of pancreatic resections for metastatic disease.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of pancreatic resection for metastatic lesions.
- To determine survival rates and prognostic factors in patients undergoing pancreatic metastasectomy.
- To assess the therapeutic value of pancreatic metastasectomy in specific patient populations.
Summary:
- Twenty patients underwent pancreatic resection for metastases from various primary cancers, including renal cell carcinoma, colon carcinoma, and others.
- Surgical procedures included pancreaticoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy.
- The overall 5-year survival rate was 61%, with 100% survival for patients with renal cell carcinoma metastases.
Impact:
- Pancreatic metastasectomy is a reasonable therapeutic option for carefully selected patients.
- Radical resection of pancreatic metastases, particularly from renal cell carcinoma, leads to excellent prognoses.
- These findings support considering surgical intervention for pancreatic metastases in appropriate cases.
