Editorial
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World J Gastrointest Surg. Aug 27, 2010; 2(8): 255-259
Published online Aug 27, 2010. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v2.i8.255
Pancreatic metastases: An increasing clinical entity
Alessandro Zerbi, Nicolò Pecorelli
Alessandro Zerbi, Pancreatic Surgery Section, Third Department of Surgery, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
Nicolò Pecorelli, Pancreas Unit, Department of Surgery, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20127 Milan, Italy
Author contributions: Zerbi A and Pecorelli N equally contributed to the conception and drafting of the article.
Correspondence to: Alessandro Zerbi, MD, Pancreatic Surgery Section, Third Department of Surgery, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan 20089,Italy. alessandro.zerbi@humanitas.it
Telephone: +39-2-82245941 Fax: +39-2-82244590
Received: February 23, 2010
Revised: August 18, 2010
Accepted: August 22, 2010
Published online: August 27, 2010
Abstract

Pancreatic metastases, although uncommon, have been observed with increasing frequency recently, especially by high-volume pancreatic surgery centers. They are often asymptomatic and detected incidentally or during follow-up investigations even several years after the removal of the primary tumor. Renal cell cancer represents the most common primary tumor by far, followed by colorectal cancer, melanoma, sarcoma and lung cancer. Pancreatic metastasectomy is indicated for an isolated and resectable metastasis in a patient fit to tolerate pancreatectomy. Both standard and atypical pancreatic resection can be performed: a resection strategy providing adequate resection margins and maximal tissue preservation of the pancreas should be pursued. The effectiveness of resection for pancreatic metastases is mainly dependent on the tumor biology of the primary cancer; renal cell cancer is associated with the best outcome with a 5-year survival rate greater than 70%.

Keywords: Pancreas; Pancreatic cancer; Secondary tumor; Pancreatic resection; Renal cell cancer