Metastases in the pancreas from nonhematologic neoplasms: Report of 20 cases evaluated by fine‐needle aspiration

Abstract

We reviewed fine-needle aspiration (FNA) samples of metastatic tumor in the pancreas from nonhematologic neoplasms over a 5-year period. In 1,050 total procedures, 20 metastases were diagnosed: 9 renal-cell carcinomas (RCCs), 3 melanomas, 2 pulmonary small-cell carcinomas, 2 breast carcinomas, 1 prostate carcinoma, 1 colon adenocarcinoma, 1 pulmonary squamous-cell carcinoma, and 1 gastrointestinal stromal tumor. A wide range of latency from primary diagnosis was noted; the longest was RCC at 12.6 years (range, 5-28). Sites of involvement were: 13 heads, 4 bodies, and 3 tails. Eighteen cases presented as a solitary mass. The average size was 4.7 cm (range, 1.5-9.8), and a case of RCC (9.8 cm) was the largest. In seven cases, the clinical and radiographic impression was of a pancreatic primary. We conclude that metastases to the pancreas are rarely diagnosed by FNA and may clinically mimic a pancreatic primary.

Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Pancreas Mimicking Primary Pancreatic Endocrine Tumor Diagnosed by Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology

“…A common clinical finding in MCC is the long interval between the primary diagnosis and the occurrence of pancreatic metastasis, which may be as long as 28 years. 22 Inadequate or inaccurate clinical history may have prevented serious consideration of a metastasis in this case. In this regard, correlation with clinical history, attention to cytologic details and corroborating immunocytochemistry will suffice, in most instances, in arriving at the correct diagnosis.…”

Secondary tumors of the pancreas: four cases and literature review

“…[5] Based on results of several authors from histological examinations following surgery or autopsy, pancreatic metastases most commonly originate from kidney, lung, breast and colon cancers, or malignant melanoma and more rarely from lymphoma. [5][6][7] Figure 4: Upper line: A large inhomogeneous mediastinal mass; B-cell lymphoma. On contrast enhanced T1 images low signal intensity lesions are in the pancreatic head and body.…”

Pancreatic metastasis in a case of small cell lung carcinoma: Diagnostic role of fine-needle aspiration cytology and immunocytochemistry

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