Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) Practice Exam

Which organ is NOT commonly associated with metastatic tumors?

1. Breast

2. Skin

3. Pancreas

4. Kidney

The correct answer is: Pancreas

The pancreas is not commonly associated with metastatic tumors compared to the other listed organs. Metastatic tumors typically spread from primary sites that are more prevalent in producing metastases, like the breast, skin (melanoma), and kidney (renal cell carcinoma), which have well-documented patterns of metastasis to various organs, including the lungs, liver, and bone. While the pancreas can be both a primary site for cancer and involved in metastasis, it is less frequently a source of distant metastatic disease in comparison to the breast, skin, and kidneys, where cancer is often more aggressive and has a higher tendency to spread. Thus, the pancreas stands out in this context as it does not have a strong association with being a common origin for metastatic tumors.