BACKGROUND: Pancreatic metastases from renal cell carcinoma are rare but highly resectable. The aim of this study was to review a series of patients with this condition. METHODS: The study involved 22 consecutive patients with histologically proven pancreatic metastases from renal cell cancer. RESULTS: Seventeen of the 22 patients had surgery. No patient died but eight of the 17 patients had a postoperative complication. Median follow-up was 33 (range 1-96) months. The 24- and 60-month survival probabilities were 0.84 and 0.53 respectively. Five patients who did not undergo surgery had 24- and 60-month survival probabilities of 0.53 and 0.26 respectively. The difference between the two groups was significant (P = 0.040). CONCLUSION: Despite the slow development of these secondaries and their well encapsulated morphology, the high rate of recurrence after limited resection suggests that radical resection should be recommended. Copyright 2003 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
