A case report of a solitary pancreatic metastasis of an adrenocortical carcinoma

Abstract

BackgroundSolitary metastases to the pancreas are rare. Therefore the value of resection in curative intention remains unclear. In the literature there are several promising reports about resection of solitary metastasis to the pancreas mainly of renal origin.Case presentationHere we report for the first time on the surgical therapy of a 1.5 cm solitary pancreatic metastasis of an adrenocortical carcinoma. The metastasis occurred almost 6 years after resection of the primary tumor. A partial pancreatoduodenectomy was performed and postoperatively adjuvant mitotane treatment was initiated. During the follow-up of 3 years after surgery no evidence of tumor recurrence occurred.ConclusionResection of pancreatic tumors should be considered, even if the mass is suspicious for metastatic disease including recurrence of adrenocortical cancer.

Adrenocortical Carcinoma: Updates of Clinical and Pathological Features after Renewed World Health Organisation Classification and Pathology Staging

“…The common sites of distant metastases of ACC are liver, lung, and bone [ 65 ]. Unusual descripted metastatic locations of ACC have been reported in the stomach [ 66 ], pancreas [ 67 ], skin [ 68 ], spleen [ 69 ], tongue [ 70 ] and brain including meninges [ 71 , 72 ]. Recurrence and distant metastases of ACC often occur quickly (within 2 years).…”

Endoscopic Ultrasonography-guided Fine-needle Aspiration Revealed Metastasis-induced Acute Pancreatitis in a Patient with Adrenocortical Carcinoma

“…Baur et al reported a case of pancreatic metastasis from ACC. Their case was one of recurrent ACC with a solitary pancreatic metastasis that occurred six years after resection of the primary tumor (7).…”