Abstract
Background. In cases of primary lung cancer accompanying pancreatic tumors, it is extremely difficult to differentiate the primary and metastatic pancreatic tumors based only on CT or MRI images. However, the therapeutic strategy and prognosis of these diseases are significantly different. Case. A 63-year-old female underwent left lower lobectomy for pulmonary adenocarcinoma in June 2007 and was followed up as an outpatient. She consulted a gastroenterologist for abdominal pain in January 2012. Due to elevated hepatic enzyme levels, biliary dilatation and a 2-cm tumor in the pancreatic head, a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer was suspected. Although endoscopic brushing of the biliary duct failed to provide a definitive diagnosis, the patient was diagnosed with lung cancer metastasizing to the pancreas based on the results of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). She received chemotherapy for lung adenocarcinoma, achieving a partial response and one year of disease control. Conclusions. Patients with pancreatic tumors and a history of lung cancer should actively undergo histopathological examinations via EUS-FNA.
