Pancreatic metastases: An increasing clinical entity

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%.