Skeletal metastases in pancreatic cancer: a retrospective study and review of the literature.

Abstract

Background: Skeletal metastases represent an underappreciated site of metastasis in patients with pancreatic cancer. Previous reports have estimated the prevalence to range from 5 percent to 20 percent. With the use of gemcitabine and novel targeted agents such as erlotinib, there has been a modest increase in survival in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. As such, it is anticipated that previously uncommon occurrences such as skeletal metastases will become more frequent.