[Pancreatic metastases due to renal carcinoma. Our cases and a literature review]

Objective: To analyse the cases of pancreatic metastases due to renal carcinoma operated on in our hospital between the years 2000 and 2011.

Material and methods: A retrospective study using the variables of 8 patients who were subjected to surgery of pancreatic metastases due to renal carcinoma, and a comparison of our data with those from the literature.

Results: The incidence of metastatic disease of the pancreas due to renal carcinoma in our series was 1.2%. All the metastases were metachronous, with both sexes being affected equally. The mean time between resection of the renal tumour and the diagnosis of the metastasis was 12.42 years (range: 1.62-30.13 years). The therapeutic approach to the pancreatic lesions was surgical in all cases. Seven patients are currently still alive.

Conclusion: Metastatic disease of the pancreas due to renal carcinoma is uncommon (1%-2.8%). The interval between the primary resection and the metastasis can be quite long. Pancreatic metastasis must always be suspected in patients who present with a pancreatic mass and a history of renal carcinoma. Aggressive surgical treatment is recommended in selected cases. The surgery in these cases improves survival and the quality of life.