A case control study of cancer of the pancreas

Abstract

A retrospective epidemiological study was undertaken in 100 males and 42 females with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas and 307 sex-, age-, race-, and hospital-matched controls. The results showed that this cancer predominated among males, particularly at ages under 50, and was significantly associated with cigarette smoking. An association to cigar smoking was suggested. Among women, a significant association with early-onset diabetes was found, and there was a suggestive association with a history of cholecystectomy. The epidemiological data along with the pathological data suggested a working hypothesis that the bile may contain carcinogens which would be refluxed into the pancreatic duct exerting a carcinogenic effect.