High recurrence rate after atypical resection for pancreatic metastases from renal cell carcinoma

Background: Pancreatic metastases from renal cell carcinoma are rare but highly resectable. The aim of this study was to review a series of patients with this condition. Methods: The study involved 22 consecutive patients with histologically proven pancreatic metastases from renal cell cancer. Results: Seventeen of the 22 patients had surgery. No patient died but eight of the 17 patients had a postoperative complication. Median follow-up was 33 (range 1-96) months. The 24- and 60-month survival probabilities were 0.84 and 0.53 respectively. Five patients who did not undergo surgery had 24- and 60-month survival probabilities of 0.53 and 0.26 respectively. The difference between the two groups was significant (P = 0.040). Conclusion: Despite the slow development of these secondaries and their well encapsulated morphology, the high rate of recurrence after limited resection suggests that radical resection should be recommended.