Pancreatic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma: A different cause for recurrent duodenal bleeding

AbstractA 64-year-old man with a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) underwent right nephrectomy. There was no identifiable recurrence during follow-up. Six years after surgery he presented with melena and ferropenic anaemia. Endoscopic evaluation demonstrated a vascular lesion in duodenum and haemostasis was performed. However, the bleeding recurred and further endoscopies revealed an enlarged multilobulated infiltrative and ulcerative lesion over the duodenum bulb. Histological and imagiological investigations were, even so, suggestive of a vascular lesion adjacent to the duodenal wall. Given the uncertain diagnosis and recurrent bleeding a surgical resection was deemed unavoidable. A cephalic duodenopancreatectomy was performed and histologic evaluation revealed an intrapancreatic RCC metastasis with duodenal infiltration. No evidence of recurrence after 12 months was observed.In conclusion, RCC metastasis should be considered in patients with a pancreatic mass as it gives the past history of RCC. Awareness of this entity and a high index of suspicion would help in proper diagnosis and treatment