Revisiting metastatic adult pancreatoblastoma. A case and review of the literature

JOP. 2008 Nov 3;9(6):733-8.

Abstract

CONTEX: Most cases of pancreatoblastoma, a rare tumor of neuroendocrine origin, are seen in the pediatric population. To date, at least sixteen case reports have been described of pancreatoblastoma in patients 19-year old or older. Surgical resection is the mainstay of curative treatment. Even patients with liver metastasis can have long-term disease-free survival.

Case report: One recent example is a 33-year-old male who presented to us for a right hepatic lobectomy for removal of the presumed primary tumor - later discovered to be a metastasis - followed by pancreaticoduodenectomy for resection of the true primary lesion. Five years after resection, this patient is the longest disease-free survivor of metastatic adult pancreatoblastoma.

Conclusion: We review the literature and propose that resection of pancreatoblastoma can offer long-term disease-free survival even with liver metastasis and microscopically-positive surgical margins.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / diagnosis*
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy
  • Male
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / classification
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Pancreaticoduodenectomy
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Rare Diseases
  • Reoperation
  • Survivors
  • Treatment Outcome