Outcomes after Pancreatic Resections for Secondary Tumours in the Pancreas: A Single Centre Experience

Abstract

Background: Isolated extra-pancreatic metastatic disease within the pancreas is uncommon. The aim of this study was to examine the indications and outcomes of pancreatic resection for metastatic disease in non-pancreatic, non-neuroendocrine malignancy at a high-volume centre.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively managed database of pancreatic resections for metastatic disease for primary non-pancreatic, non-neuroendocrine tumours at University Hospital Southampton. Data collected and analysed included patient demographics, operative and peri-operative outcomes, survival and recurrence.

Results: 844 patients who underwent pancreatic resection were examined. 26 consecutive patients met the inclusion criteria, representing 3.3% of the units throughout. The median disease-free interval was 65 months. Most resections were for renal cell carcinoma, followed by melanoma, breast and colorectal cancers. The perioperative morbidity was 42.9% with 12 cases of post-operative complications. There were no perioperative deaths. Median overall survival was 41 months, while the median disease-free survival was 17 months for the whole cohort.

Conclusion: When coupled with the low morbidity and mortality rates of a high-volume pancreatic surgery centre using careful patient selection, pancreatic metastectomy has the potential to result in good long-term survival.

Keywords: Metastasis; pancreatic metastectomy; renal cell carcinoma.