Resection of Late Pulmonary Metastases from Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Is Surgery an Option?

ABSTRACT

Patients with recurrences from pancreas adenocarcinoma have a poor survival rate despite new chemotherapy treatment options. Recurrences are mainly hepatic metastases or peritoneal dissemination and surgical treatment is not recommended. Late and single metachronous pulmonary recurrences are uncommon and may mimic primary lung carcinoma. We report two patients with late and unique pulmonary metastasis from pancreatic cancer. These two patients underwent surgical resection; three and five years later, they did not experience recurrences. Cases called for a surgical approach in late and unique pulmonary metastases from pancreatic cancer, and paved the way for a prolonged chemotherapy free period.

Keywords:

• Pancreatic cancer
• Lung recurrence
• Late and unique metastasis
• Surgical management
• Prolonged survival