A Case of Complete Remission from Pancreatic Cancer Following Palliative Chemotherapy

Abstract

The prognosis for pancreatic cancer is still poor with a 5-year survival rate around 10%. We report a case of complete remission after palliative chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer in a 61-year-old-female. She presented with indigestion and weight loss. A computed tomography scan revealed a 1.8 cm mass in the pancreatic head. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were elevated. The patient underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) and the pathologic examination showed adenocarcinoma. Positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pancreas showed a metastatic nodule in the S6 segment of the liver and a metastatic portocaval lymph node. The final diagnosis was stage IV pancreatic cancer. The patient received 24 cycles of palliative FOLFIRINOX regimen. Response evaluation demonstrated disappearance of all the lesions. She underwent pyloruspreserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD). The pathologic examination of the surgical specimen showed complete remission of the pancreatic cancer. The patient is currently undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy.