Pancreatic Metastases from a Small Cell Lung Carcinoma: A Case Report

Abstract

BackgroundSmall cell lung carcinomas (SCLC) represent almost 20-25% of all bronchogenic carcinoma and constitutes a group of tumors with high potential of metastases at the time of diagnosis [1,2]. The pancreas is an uncommon site of secondary localization from this neoplasm [3]. Limited data are available concerning incidence, clinical picture, management and prognosis for pancreatic metastases of small cell lung carcinoma. In this paper, we report a case of documented pancreatic involvement due to small cell lung carcinoma and we review the related available literature. Case ReportA 56 year-old man, with a history of smoking (30 pack-years) presented with persistent cough, left chest pain, epigastric tenderness and weight loss. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest showed a mediastino-pulmonary mass, 10.6 × 7 cm in size invading adjacent structure with carcinomatosis lymphangit and contralateral pulmonary nodules (Figure 1a and 1b). Bronchoscopy revealed complete stenosis of the apico-posterior segment of the bronchus of the upper left lobe. Trans-bronchial needle Biopsy was positive for neuroendocrine small cell lung carcinoma (Figure 2). CT scan of abdomen and pelvis showed multiple hepatic secondary lesions, bilateral adrenal metastases, peritoneal carcinomatosis and a mass in AbstractThe pancreas is an uncommon site of metastases of small cell lung carcinoma. Pancreatic metastasis occurs toward the end stage of disease. Few cases only were reported in the literature. This case presents a 56 year-old man diagnosed with disseminated small cell lung carcinoma to multiple sites including pancreas. The current paper is presented in order to increase the awareness of this relatively rare condition.

Clinical evaluation of plasma coagulation parameters in patients with advanced‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer treated with palliative chemotherapy in China

“…4 One study reported that almost 94% cancer patients diagnosed with one or more abnormal coagulation functions, especially it gets more worse in terminal stage metastasis patients. 5,6 Lung cancer patients also suffer from hypercoagulation, hyperfibrinolysis, thrombosis and abnormal tumour growth which further contribute in tumour development. 7 Previous relevant studies have the following arguments that correlate NSCLC progression and coagulation function changes, the fibrin has high molecular weight in the plasma part and increase amount of fibrin in NSCLC are more prone to hypercoagulation.…”

“…One study reported that almost 94% cancer patients diagnosed with one or more abnormal coagulation functions, especially it gets more worse in terminal stage metastasis patients 5,6 . Lung cancer patients also suffer from hypercoagulation, hyperfibrinolysis, thrombosis and abnormal tumour growth which further contribute in tumour development 7…”