Pancreatic secondary lesions from renal cell carcinoma

Metastatic lesions to the pancreas are uncommon. The most frequent metastases are from renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We analyzed the clinical features and survival of patients with pancreatic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma.

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients with pancreatic metastases from RCC, observed in our department from January 2004 to March 2010. Follow-up continued to September 2013.

In the study period 13 patients with a diagnosis of metastasis from RCC were observed in our clinic, and among them 9 pancreatic resections were performed (2 pancreaticoduodenectomy, 1 duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection, 1 central pancreatectomy, and 5 distal pancreatectomy). Four patients did not undergo a pancreatic resection: two refused surgery, one had an endoscopic biliary stent for jaundice placed and then underwent a surgical biliary bypass, and the fourth patient was too advanced and had only an endoscopic biliary stent. The mean follow-up was 56 months (range 5-115, median 53), with one nonresected patient lost in follow-up after 38 months. Among the other 12 patients, 4 died: two for progression of disease 5 and 20 months respectively after our observation. The mean (±SEM) disease-free survival of seven resected patients with curative intent was 40 ± 11 months (median 34).

Pancreatic metastases from RCC are often asymptomatic. They generally present slow growth and an indolent behavior. Surgery is the treatment of choice in those patients with only pancreatic involvement, achieving long-term survival and disease-free survival.