Incidental liver metastasis in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Exocrine cancer of pancreas is the fourth leading cause of death in the USA among both men and women. Contrast enhanced multidetector-row computer tomography (MDCT) is the current modality of choice for the detection of distant metastasis in pancreatic cancer as a part of pre-operative workup, which helps decide on resectability. Authors present a first ever reported case of an incidental liver metastasis found on intra-operative wedge hepatic biopsy during Whipple's procedure for pancreatic cancer. This pancreatic cancer was initially thought to be resectable based on MDCT staging per guidelines. The case highlights the importance of diagnostic staging laparoscopy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy before resecting pancreatic adenocarcinoma.