The incidence and survival of pancreatic cancer by histology, including rare subtypes: a nation‐wide cancer registry‐based study from Taiwan

Abstract

Studies have indicated a significant rise in the incidence of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, the epidemiology of other rare histologic subtypes of pancreatic cancer is not well understood. This study analyzed the incidence and survival of pancreatic cancer in Taiwan by histologic subtype, sex, age group, and year of diagnosis. The incidence trends of pancreatic cancer in Taiwan from 2002 to 2013 were calculated using data from the Taiwan Cancer Registry. The survival of pancreatic cancer patients was assessed using the life‐table method and Cox proportional hazards analysis. The incidence of pancreatic cancer increased from 4.62 per 100,000 in 2002 to 6.04 per 100,000 in 2013 in Taiwan. The most common histologic subtype of pancreatic cancer was adenocarcinoma followed by carcinoma and neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Adenocarcinoma and NETs showed a rapid increase in incidence, while the incidences of other subtypes did not change significantly. Patients with adenocarcinoma showed a poor survival with a 5‐year survival of 5.2%. Patients with endocrinomas, NETs, and lymphoma displayed a better survival than those with adenocarcinoma, with a 5‐year survival ranging from 41.8% to 59.1%. The survival of adenocarcinoma, lymphoma, and NETs improved after the introduction of novel therapies. Understanding the risk factors and identifying the biomarkers for the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer are important to prevent the development and improve the survival of pancreatic cancer.

Temporal trends of incidence and mortality in Asian-Americans with pancreatic adenocarcinoma: an epidemiological study

“…In 2009, Chen et al reported 6220 new cases of pancreatic and 5650 deaths [23]. However, He et al recorded nearly 13 times more cases in 2011: 80,344 new pancreatic cancer cases and [25]. There can be no doubt that genetic predisposition plays an essential role in PAC development and evolution and might explain the better outcomes in Asian patients.…”

Current Status of Circulating Tumor DNA Liquid Biopsy in Pancreatic Cancer

“…Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has an incidence of 13.1 cases per 100,000 persons in the United States, where it is currently the third leading cause of cancer mortality, and is expected to rise [ 1 ]. Five-year overall survival (OS) across all stages is a dismal 10% [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Early stage disease can be treated with curative intent, however, 5-year OS even in this case is 20–40% [ 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”

MYC Instructs and Maintains Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Phenotype

“…Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal cancer with a 5-year survival of less than 9% (1). Its dismal prognosis is in great part due to its typically late presentation and its profound resistance to all forms of conventional chemo and radiotherapy.…”