Remnant Pancreatic Cancer After Surgical Resection for Pancreatic Cancer

Improvements in multidisciplinary treatment and diagnostic modalities for pancreatic cancer have increased the number of long-term survivors after surgical resection for pancreatic cancer. Consequently, reports of patients who developed cancer in the remnant pancreas have also increased. Two possible mechanisms underlie the development of cancer in the remnant pancreas after resection for pancreatic cancer: local recurrence of the initial pancreatic cancer and the metachronous development of a new primary lesion. Genetic analyses may help distinguish between local recurrence and new primary cancer. The identification of predictive factors may facilitate the early detection of remnant pancreatic cancer. The presence of concomitant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms may predict the development of remnant pancreatic cancer. Surgical resection for remnant pancreatic cancer may provide favorable short-and long-term outcomes. Life-long surveillance focusing on remnant pancreatic cancer is recommended after surgical resection for pancreatic cancer.