UTILIZATION OF FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION BIOPSY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF METASTATIC TUMORS TO THE PANCREAS

There is relatively little information concerning the use of fine-need le aspiration biopsy (FNAB) to diagnose a mass in the pancreas that is secondary to metastatic tumor. This study reviews the incidence and t ypes of neoplasms which metastasize to the pacreas and assesses the co ntribution FNAB can make in their diagnosis. Of 117 radiologically gui ded FNABs of the pancreas, 11% (n = 13) showed metastatic malignancy. Nine patients had a previous history of malignancy while four patients presented with a pancreatic mass and were subsequently found to have widespread malignant disease. The majority of metastatic lesions were epithelial (77%, n = 10). Patients outcomes were generally poor (mean survival 2.8 mo). Metastases to the pancreas occur from a variety of p rimary sites and should be considered in patients with a pancreatic ma ss and a history of prior malignancy. FNAB is useful in diagnosing the se metastases and this is clinically important because of their poor p rognosis.