Epidemiological trends in pancreatic neoplasias

Primary prevention is the most effective approach to reduce the incidence o f pancreatic cancer. Epidemiological studies have contributed to the identi fication of risk factors for pancreatic cancer, suggesting an association w ith age, various medical conditions, environmental and lifestyle risk facto rs, and occupational and genetic conditions. Age is the strongest risk fact or. The most consistently identified environmental risk factor is smoking, but there is less certainty concerning dietary factors. Studies have sugges ted a positive association with high energy intake, cholesterol and meat, w hile vegetable and fruit intakes are probably protective. Patients with chr onic pancreatitis and new onset of diabetes mellitus have a low but increas ing risk of having or developing pancreatic cancer, There is strong evidenc e for the association of hereditary pancreatitis or cystic diseases of the pancreas and pancreatic cancer. A family history of pancreatic cancer is an important risk factor, but only a small proportion can be linked with know n familial cancer syndromes. Thus, additional yet unidentified predisposing risk factors have to be assumed. Copyright (C) 2001 S.Karger AG, Basel.