Survival Data Justifies Resection for Pancreatic Metastases

Pancreatic metastases are uncommon and little is known about the oncologic outcome after resection or prognostic parameters. This study was designed to evaluate perioperative and follow-up results after resection for pancreatic metastases and to define prognostic factors.

From a prospective database, all consecutive resections performed at our institution for pancreatic metastases between October 2001 and July 2008 were identified. Clinicopathological details, perioperative, and follow-up results were analyzed. Uni- and multivariate analysis were performed to identify parameters associated with overall and disease-free survival.

Forty-four resections were performed for pancreatic metastases. Primary tumors included 31 (70%) renal cell carcinomas (RCC) and 13 other primary tumors. Morbidity was 33% and mortality 4.4%. Pancreatic metastases occurred after a median interval of 6.9 years after resection of the primary tumor. Twenty-five patients (57%) had additional extrapancreatic disease. With a median follow-up of 32.1 months, overall 3- and 5-year survivals were 70.2% and 56.8%, disease-free 3- and 5-year survivals were 37.2% and 33%, respectively. Patients with isolated pancreatic metastases had an overall 3- and 5-year survival of 85.6% and 74.9%. Additional extrapancreatic disease, a disease-free interval of less than 36 months, and non-RCC entity were associated with shorter overall survival. Previous recurrence, non-RCC primary tumors, and a disease-free interval of less than 36 months were associated with shorter disease-free survival.

Resection for pancreatic metastases can be performed safely and with good follow-up results and can be recommended as part of an interdisciplinary treatment. Especially in patients with isolated pancreatic metastases, long-term survival can be expected.