2017 Volume 59 Issue 8 Pages 1638-1643
We report two cases of stage 0 pancreatic carcinoma (PC) in patients who subsequently underwent repeat pancreatectomy for recurrent carcinoma in the remnant pancreas. The period between the initial surgery and the recurrence of cancer was three and six years, respectively. Pathological findings obtained from the initial surgery revealed that the surgical margin was free from atypical cells ; however, PC recurrence was discovered soon after the initial surgery. These observations suggest that PCs in the remnant pancreas may be multifocal carcinomas, rather than second primary carcinomas. It has been reported that the majority of PC recurrences may be isolated to the pancreatic bed or present as distant metastatic disease. However, these two cases demonstrated that PC recurred in the remnant pancreas. Further studies are required to establish postoperative follow-up methods for resected cases of PC diagnosed at an early stage. These should include careful postoperative observation of the remnant pancreas.
