Editorial on “Pancreatic resections for metastases in the pancreas: analysis of surgical and oncologic outcomes”

Metastases to the pancreas represent less than 2% of all pancreatic resections; the most common primary malignancy found in this organ is clear renal cell carcinoma. Isolated pancreatic metastases from other organs are exceptional and anecdotal, as evidenced by the published series. Therefore, I will limit my comments to this topic. Dissemination typically occurs through the hematogenous route and rarely through the lymphatic system. There is no evidence of dissemination from the pancreatic lesion, so a resection of the lesion with clear margins and without lymphadenectomy is sufficient and oncologically appropriate. The paper by Brossuti et al. in this issue of the journal raises several interesting points that merit discussion