Pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is a fatal malignancy associated with rapid progression. One year relative survival rates are less than 30%, and nearly all patients die from the disease within 7 years of surgery. In 2012, it was estimated that 338,000 men and women were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and 331,000 died of the disease. Although there have been improvements in the diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatic cancer, these changes are minor. Although smoking is the only established nonheritable risk factor for pancreatic cancer, only approximately 30% of the cases can be attributed to smoking. Despite the inconclusive results, obesity, diabetes, alcohol consumption, and chronic pancreatitis have also been suggested as risk factors for pancreatic cancer. Given this poorly understood etiology, prevention of this deadly disease remains a challenge.