Laparoscopic Approach for Pancreatic Leiomyosarcoma with Metachronous Liver Metastasis

Abstract

Although pancreatic leiomyosarcoma (PLM) is a rare malignant pancreatic cancer, it usually shows aggressive biological features such as invasion to an adjacent organ or distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Radical resection is the best treatment modality but effective chemotherapies have not been identified. A 58-year-old female was referred to us complaining of intermittent left upper quadrant abdominal discomfort. Imaging studies revealed a 10-cm mass in the pancreatic tail. The patient underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy, and the pathological findings were consistent with PLM. Imaging studies 14 months after surgery revealed multiple liver metastases. Because the patient was young with a sufficient remnant liver, we performed laparoscopic metastatectomy without any postoperative complications. Patients with PLM need frequent checkups, even after curative resection. The role of laparoscopic resection should be confirmed in the future.