Metastasis-induced acute pancreatitis in a patient with small cell carcinoma of the lung

J Korean Med Sci. 1999 Feb;14(1):107-9. doi: 10.3346/jkms.1999.14.1.107.

Abstract

Acute pancreatitis in cancer patients can be secondary to the malignant process itself or a complication of antineoplastic agent administration. However, acute pancreatitis caused by metastatic carcinoma of the pancreas is an uncommon condition with a poor prognosis. We report a case of a 63-year-old man with small cell carcinoma of the lung, who developed acute pancreatitis lately. Thirteen months earlier, he developed small cell carcinoma of the lung and received 6 cycles of chemotherapy. Abdominal CT scan showed swelling of the pancreas with multiple masses. The patient was managed conservatively and pancreatitis subsided. This case indicates that metastasis induced acute pancreatitis can be a manifestation of lung cancer, especially in small cell carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / secondary*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Pancreatitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Pancreatitis / pathology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed