Metastases to the Pancreas and Their Surgical Extirpation

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Abstract
METASTASIS OF other cancers to the pancreas is much more frequent than commonly appreciated. In fact, metastatic cancer is found much more frequently from tumors other than primary pancreatic cancer in autopsy series. Although most of these are incidental findings in patients with widely disseminated malignant disease,1 isolated metastases have been reported.2 If a metastasis in the pancreas becomes symptomatic, it is likely to be misdiagnosed as a primary tumor, especially if it appears to be a solitary lesion. We have had the opportunity to treat a series of patients with cancer metastatic to the pancreas. We have made the common errors of diagnosis but also found that aggressive treatment with resection when possible can provide useful palliation and possible cure.