Renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the pancreas: a single center experience.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a malignant tumor characterized by great variation in the clinical course and unusual sites of metastases. Metastases to the pancreas are, in general, rare.

METHODOLOGY

A retrospective chart review of patients treated a single institution.

RESULTS

Single center experience in 10 patients with this rare presentation of metastatic RCC is presented. In most cases, the course after diagnosis of RCC pancreas metastases was relatively favorable, specifically in patients treated with surgical removal of the metastases. The median survival from the diagnosis of RCC pancreas metastases was 56 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The course of disease in patients with RCC pancreas metastases is often indolent. Long-term survival may be obtained after surgery even with suboptimal systemic therapy. An active therapeutic approach is warranted in these patients.