Pancreatic cancer

In 2020, approximately 20,230 people were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Germany. Due to its unfavourable prognosis, nearly the same number of people died from this disease. Since the end of the 1990s, the age-standardised incidence and mortality rates have risen slightly, particularly among people age 65 years and older. The absolute number of new cases and deaths has risen continuously over the years for both sexes, partly due to demographic developments.

Age-standardised incidence and mortality rates of malignant neoplasms of the pancreas by age group and sex, ICD-10 C25, Germany 1999–2016/2017, per 100,000 (old European standard population)

Unfavourable prognosis for pancreatic cancer

Malignant neoplasms of the pancreas often cause no symptoms or only unspecific ones in their early stages, and so tumours are often detected late. Accordingly, the relative 5-year survival rate is extremely unfavourable. In Germany it is 11 percent for both sexes. Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate of all cancers besides mesothelioma.

Absolute and relative survival rates up to 10 years after first diagnosis, by sex, ICD-10 C25, Germany 2015 – 2016

With a proportion of 9 percent (women) and 7.5 percent (men), it is the fourth most frequent cause of cancer death for both sexes. The average age at diagnosis is 76 years for women and 72 years for men.

Active and passive smoking increase the risk of disease

Smoking, both active and passive, is considered to be an established risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Severe overweight (obesity) and diabetes (diabetes mellitus type 2) also have a negative effect. This also applies to very high alcohol consumption. Patients with chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) also have an increased risk. Infections with pathogens such as Helicobacter pylori and hepatitis B (or HIV) are associated with the risk of developing pancreatic cancer. First-degree relatives of patients with pancreatic cancer are more often affected themselves than average. This may be due to hereditary factors, such as a BRCA-2 mutation, or a shared lifestyle. Very frequent consumption of processed meat products or smoked or grilled foods could also increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.

The role of environmental factors or occupational exposure to pollutants has not been clarified. Furthermore, the following are being investigated as possible risk factors for pancreatic cancer: pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, chlorinated hydrocarbons, chromium and chromium compounds, electromagnetic fields and fuel fumes.