Pancreatic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma 16 years after nephrectomy: a case report and review of the literature.

Two percent of all malignant pancreatic tumors are metastases from other primaries, with small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer and hematological neoplasms being the commonest. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) metastasizing to the pancreas is rare and occurs in 2.8% of patients with metastatic RCC. However, RCC is the most common primary leading to solitary pancreatic metastasis. Metastases often present many years after nephrectomy for primary RCC (median time of 8 years) and should therefore be looked for on surveillance or when patients present with upper abdominal symptoms. Complete surgical resection when possible offers the best chance for cure.