A Case of Pancreaticobiliary Maljunction Associated with Gallbladder and Pancreatic Cancers

Abstract

A rare case of pancreaticobiliary maljunction associated with gallbladder and pancreatic cancers is presented. A 65-year-old-woman was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer associated with pancreaticobiliary maljunction, and cholecystectomy, resection of the extrahepatic bile duct, and resection of segments 4a and 5 of the liver (pT2N0M0 stage II) were performed. Three years after the operation, some tumor markers were elevated, and abdominal enhanced computed tomography showed a 20-mm, hypovascular tumor in the tail of the pancreas. Metachronous cancer of the tail of the pancreas was diagnosed, and surgery was performed. Because multiple peritoneal metastases were confirmed by intraoperative pathological examination, radical resection was not possible. The patient underwent chemotherapy, but she died of the original disease 13 months after the operation. Patients with pancreaticobiliary maljunction are considered at high risk for biliary tract cancer, but only rarely for pancreatic cancer. Attention should be paid to the possibility of pancreatic cancer in patients with pancreaticobiliary maljunction.