RESPONSE OF SMALL-CELL CARCINOMA OF PANCREAS TO A SMALL-CELL LUNG-CANCER REGIMEN - A CASE-REPORT

Small cell carcinoma of the pancreas is a very rare malignancy with 18 cases reported in the literature, of which only 3 were treated with c hemotherapy. A 52-year-oId man was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma originating in the head of the pancreas and invading the duodenum. He was treated with a similar approach as for localized small cell lung cancer, with six cycles of combination chemotherapy and local radiothe rapy, and went into complete remission. After 3 months, he developed l iver metastases along with an enlarged left supraclavicular lymph node . He was treated with two cycles of CVA, but developed lung metastases and was treated with ifosfamide/mesna. However, his overall condition deteriorated and hospice care was instituted until the patient's demi se. The patient survived 14 months following diagnosis, significantly longer than the 15 reported patients with small cell pancreatic carcin omas not treated with chemotherapy. Combination chemotherapy and radia tion therapy as is utilized for small cell lung cancer appear to be be neficial for small cell carcinoma of the pancreas.