Abstract
BACKGROUND: A number of patients with lung cancer have distant metastases at the time of diagnosis. The most common sites for metastases are liver, brain, etc. However pancreatic metastasis is relatively rare, with an insidious onset and poor prognosis. There are no sufficient recognition and attention of lung cancer with pancreatic metastasis. The aim of this study was to summarize the pathological characteristics, clinical manifestations, therapies and prognosis of pancreatic metastases of lung cancer, thus further exploring better managements for the best prolonged survival or quality of life. METHODS: 42 patients of lung carcinoma with confirmed pancreatic metastases hospitalized at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 1998 to December 2018 were identified. We reviewed all medical documentations for complete information including diagnosis, treatment, prognosis features. RESULTS: 24 (57%) patients were asymptomatic or presented with non-specific symptoms. 18 (43%) patients had symptoms related to pancreatic metastases, such as acute pancreatitis, obstructive jaundice or pain of lumber back. The median overall survival (OS) was 8.8 months. Multivariate analysis suggested patients with symptoms had a poor prognosis compared with patients without pancreatic symptoms [(hazard ratio, HR)=2.645, 95%CI: 1.013-6.910, P=0.047]. Patients received chemotherapy had better prognosis versus those who did not [HR=0.158, 95%CI: 0.049-0.512, P=0.002]. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic metastasis of lung cancer is rare and the prognosis is poor. Chemotherapy can prolong survival significantly. Local radiotherapy of the pancreas may alleviate local symptoms, improve quality of life, facilitate further systemic chemotherapy for patients to prolong survival. Patients with symptoms related to pancreatic metastases can benefit from the comprehensive treatment of chemotherapy combined with local pancreatic radiotherapy.