Squamous cell carcinoma of pancreas: an unusual site of relapse from early-stage lung cancer: 12-month postsurgery

Abstract

A 57-year-old man presented with abdominal pain and backache, weight loss of 10 kg and irregular bowel movements. He was previously diagnosed with Stage IB squamous cell carcinoma of lung and had undergone lobectomy 12 months previously. Investigations including imaging revealed a cystic mass in the body and tail of the pancreas which was biopsied and it was confirmed to be a recurrence of the squamous lung cancer involving the pancreas. He was treated with systemic chemotherapy and has shown a partial response on repeat imaging. This case illustrates a rare and unusual site of relapse in lung cancer after adjuvant therapy and a key message for follow-up surveillance for these patients.

Figure 1

Pretreatment CT of the abdomen demonstrating a large pancreatic mass (arrow).

Figure 2

Histological images of the pancreatic lesion. (A,B) pancreatobiliary epithelium (*) and atypical squamous epithelium (↓) (H&E ×40 and ×400). (C,D) Squamous component strongly and diffusely positive with CK5 and p63 (×400).

Figure 3

CT of the abdomen after treatment showing a reduction in the size of the pancreatic mass (arrow).