Management of metastases-induced acute pancreatitis in small cell carcinoma of the lung

Abstract

Metastases-induced acute pancreatitis is an uncommon condition that has a poor prognosis. Risk factors of acute pancreatitis in known cases have been studied and there is a low survival rate with more than three risk factors on presentation regardless of treatment rendered. These patients should be treated conservatively. Chemotherapy may be attempted in patients with three or fewer poor prognostic signs.

Usefulness of FDG-PET/CT in the detection of pancreatic metastases from lung cancer

“…Pancreatic metastases are usually asymptomatic or the symptoms are unspecifi c, leading to the misdiagnosis of metastasis. The main complications of these lesions, although rare, are acute pancreatitis and obstructive jaundice [8][9][10][11]. These conditions are sometimes lethal and need adequate medication or intervention; therefore, precise knowledge of the existence of pancreatic metastasis is important to predict the symptoms related to pancreatic metastasis in its early stage.…”

“…The recognition of pancreatic metastasis of lung cancer patients is important because a few studies have reported that the pancreas may be the only metastatic site of lung cancer and pancreatectomy is the choice of therapy [7]; however, pathology is the only diagnostic method, and percutaneous fi ne needle aspiration must therefore be considered for all operable patients. It is also important to recognize pancreatic metastasis because in some cases it produces serious complications such as acute pancreatitis and obstructive jaundice [8][9][10][11]. Jaundice from pancreatic metastasis is a rare clinical sign of lung cancer.…”

“…Small cell lung carcinoma has been reported to be the most common tumor causing metastasis-induced acute pancreatitis. Chowhan et al [10] reported that small cell carcinoma of the lung was found in 6 of 10 patients with metastasis-induced acute pancreatitis; therefore, the recognition of pancreatic metastasis will contribute to early and precise diagnosis of the symptoms related to these conditions and allow immediate appropriate therapy. However, it may sometimes be diffi cult to detect and separate metastatic pancreatic tumor from acute pancreatitis even using FDG-PET/CT because FDG also accumulates in active pancreatitis.…”

“…The early recognition of pancreatic metastasis in lung cancer patients is important because a few studies have reported that the pancreas may be the only metastatic site of lung cancer, and pancreatectomy is the choice of therapy [7]. It is also important to recognize pancreatic metastasis because in some cases it has serious complications such as acute pancreatitis and obstructive jaundice [8][9][10][11], and the recognition of pancreatic metastasis will contribute to early and precise diagnosis of the symptoms related to these conditions and allow immediate appropriate therapy. Therefore, precise recognition of pancreatic metastasis in lung cancer patients is important for adequate patient management.…”

Acute Pancreatitis: First and Sole Manifestation of Small Cell Carcinoma of Lung

“…In English lit- Khan et al J Med Cases. 2014;5(10):525-528 erature we found 11 other cases of small cell carcinoma clinically presenting with acute pancreatitis for the first time (Table 1) [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. Interestingly, we found involvement of left lung in 57% cases and a female predominance 64% in all these cases.…”