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Evaluation of metastases to the pancreas with fine needle aspiration: A case series from a single centre with review of the literature
Author(s) -
Ioakim Kalliopi J.,
Sydney Guy I.,
Michaelides Constantinos,
Sepsa Athanasia,
Psarras Konstantinos,
Tsiotos Gregory G.,
Salla Charitini,
Nikas Ilias P.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.512
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1365-2303
pISSN - 0956-5507
DOI - 10.1111/cyt.12793
Subject(s) - medicine , pancreas , fine needle aspiration , malignancy , metastasis , renal cell carcinoma , radiology , adenocarcinoma , carcinoma , pathology , cancer , biopsy
Objective Fine needle aspiration ( FNA ) is a minimally invasive albeit highly effective modality used to detect solid and cystic pancreatic lesions. This manuscript aims to present our experience in diagnosing metastases to the pancreas and highlight the importance of immunocytochemistry in the diagnostic process. It also aims to provide a brief review of the literature on this topic. Methods We retrospectively searched our archives for cases of metastatic deposits to the pancreas diagnosed with FNA over a 5‐year period. We also reviewed the literature for such cases. Results We describe seven cases from our archives that metastasised to the pancreas. Three of them (43%) represented metastatic renal cell carcinoma while the rest four comprised deposits from a lung adenocarcinoma, a colon adenocarcinoma, an adrenal leiomyosarcoma, and a small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder, respectively. History of primary malignancy was available for all seven patients. All diagnoses were confirmed with the use of immunostains. In our literature review, similar to our case series, renal cell carcinoma was the most common metastasis to the pancreas managed with FNA (around one out of three patients; 35%). Of interest, our endoscopic ultrasound ‐ FNA case of pancreatic metastasis from urinary bladder small cell carcinoma is the first reported. Conclusions As metastases to the pancreas are commonly accompanied by diverse prognostic signatures and management strategies compared to primary pancreatic malignancies, their accurate identification is imperative. Pancreatic FNA is a diagnostic modality that can confirm or exclude metastasis to the organ, especially when immunocytochemistry is applied.