Adenocarcinoma of the pancreas producing pancreatitis and pancreatic abscess

Abstract

Pancreatic abscess is a severe complication of pancreatitis usually caused by alcohol, gallstones, abdominal trauma, or prior operative procedures. Pancreatic cancer is a rare cause of acute pancreatitis and an extremely rare cause of pancreatic abscess. We report three patients with pancreatic abscess caused by cancer who experienced a prolonged, complicated course with delay in diagnosis and substantial morbidity.