What is pancreatic cancer?

With approximately 16,000¹ new cases in 2023, the incidence of pancreatic cancer has been significantly increasing since the 1990s, with no clearly identified reason until now. Therefore understanding the causes of this increase is an important part of research on a global scale. 

Pancreatic cancer mainly affects people over the age of 50, and the median age of diagnosis is 71 years old for men and 74 years old for women². In 60% of cases, no risk factors are identified. Nevertheless, one of the known causes of pancreatic cancer is tobacco consumption. Alcohol consumption is also a risk factor, as well as chronic inflammation of the pancreas (chronic pancreatitis). Diabetes and obesity are also mentioned as factors that increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer. 

Family predispositions are also mentioned as a possible cause of pancreatic cancer. The most common genetic mutations affect the BRCA gene, such as in the case with breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer. Some families are particularly closely followed when two or three first-degree related cases are observed. It should be noted that these familial pancreatic cancers are very rare. 

Tumors develop at the head of the pancreas in most cases (70%), but also at the body or tail, and the location of the tumors bring about various symptoms. Thus, if the tumor is located on the head, it compresses the intestine nearby, and the patient experiences symptoms related to the digestive tract. 

Ductal adenocarcinoma is the most common type of pancreatic cancer, and it accounts for 90% of all the cases. It originates in the ducts, through which the enzymes produced in the pancreas enter the digestive tract.

¹ SNFGE 

²Overview of cancers in France 2023 INCa