A resected case of pancreatic metastasis from carcinoma of the colon

Abstract

A 73-year-old man undergoing right hemicolectomy for carcinoma of the ascending colon in September 2000 and admitted for acute cholecystitis in October 2003 was found in CT to have a low-density pancreatic tumor 3.6cm in diameter. MRCP showed the main pancreatic duct and common bile duct to be obstructed. Angiography showed encasement and tumor staining of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery. A tumor in the pancreatic head show increased uptake of FDG leading to a diagnosis of a metastatic pancreatic tumor and pancreatoduodenectomy. The pathological diagnosis was moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, compatible with colon cancer metastasis. The postoperative course was good and the patient was discharge 26 days after surgery. Only 12 cases of resection of pancreatic metastasis from colon cancer, including ours, have been reported in Japan. We present this case with a review of the literature. © 2005 The Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery.