Pancreatic cancer: a glimmer of hope

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer carries a very poor prognosis, with five‐year survival currently approaching 10%. Late presentation, lack of effective treatment options and a tumour microenvironment that subverts immune mechanisms are some of the reasons behind this. Here the authors discuss how advances in our understanding of tumour biology, identification and surveillance of high‐risk groups, improvements in surgical outcomes and the availability of new chemotherapeutic options give us grounds for optimism.