Pancreatic cancer: the greatest oncological challenge

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer: the greatest oncological challenge Cancer of the pancreas is probably the greatest oncological challenge in developed countries today. Firstly, it is common. Over 6000 Britons die of the disease each year. In the United States the incidence of pancreatic cancer has trebled over the past 50 years, and it is now the fourth leading cause of death from cancer.' Secondly, we know less about what causes it than we do about what causes most other common cancers. Thirdly, it is virtually incurable except for the occasional small tumour confined to the pancreatic head. (I exclude cystadenocarcinoma, islet cell cancer, and the rare solid and papillary neoplasm, which together comprise less than 5% of pancreatic tumours.) Fourthly, cure requires a major and hazardous operation, and even palliation is difficult.