Current status and progress of pancreatic cancer in China

Abstract

Cancer is currently one of the most important public health problems in the world. Pancreatic cancer is a fatal disease with poor prognosis. As in most other countries, the health burden of pancreatic cancer in China is increasing, with annual mortality rates almost equal to incidence rates. The increasing trend of pancreatic cancer incidence is more significant in the rural areas than in the urban areas. Annual diagnoses and deaths of pancreatic cancer in China are now beyond the number of cases in the United States. GLOBOCAN 2012 estimates that cases in China account for 19.45% (65727/337872) of all newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer and 19.27% (63662/330391) of all deaths from pancreatic cancer worldwide. The population's growing socioeconomic status contributes to the rapid increase of China's proportional contribution to global rates. Here, we present an overview of control programs for pancreatic cancer in China focusing on prevention, early diagnosis and treatment. In addition, we describe key epidemiological, demographic, and socioeconomic differences between China and developed countries. Facts including no nationwide screening program for pancreatic cancer, delay in early detection resulting in a late stage at presentation, lack of awareness of pancreatic cancer in the Chinese population, and low investment compared with other cancer types by government have led to backwardness in China's pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment. Finally, we suggest measures to improve health outcomes of pancreatic cancer patients in China.

Identification of a six‐miRNA panel in serum benefiting pancreatic cancer diagnosis

“…Unlike most cancers with increasing survival rate, the 5‐year relative survival for PC currently remains as low as 8% in the USA . In China, the incidence rate of PC also presents a growing trend and has become a heavy health burden for Chinese patients . Surgical resection is considered to be the only option for cure, but most patients are asymptomatic until being diagnosed in the late stage and might miss the best chance of clinical operation .…”

Preoperative neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio predicts malignancy and recurrence‐free survival of solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas

“…It is usually detected by cross‐sectional imaging such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging. As the incidence of pancreatic tumors increases in China, the number of patients with SPTP has continued to grow . The natural history of SPTP is highly variable, with most of them manifesting with an indolent course, while others are associated with local invasion and distant metastasis …”

The long noncoding RNA H19 promotes cell proliferation via E2F-1 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

“…The incidence of pancreatic cancer is dramatically increased after people reach their 40s. 1 With recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment, the 5-year survival of pancreatic cancer patients has increased to 7%, but the mortality rate is still high. 2 Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounts for almost 90% of pancreatic malignancies, and is quite difficult to be diagnosed at the early stage.…”