Carcinoma of pancreas, A study based on autopsy data from 1928 to 1972 in Vienna, Austria

The analysis of autopsy data from 1928 to 1972 shows that the relative frequency of carcinoma of pancreas has undergone a threefold increase during the past 30 years. During period B (1953--1972) there has been a real increase (twofold) for the middle and higher age groups as compared with that during period A (1928-1952). Further, it seems that the frequency rises non-linearly with age and that the higher age groups are relatively more prone to a malignant change of the pancreas. The pattern of pathological manifestations has been discussed and its practical importance pointed out.