Pancreatic cancer

During 1972-1981, a total of 177 individuals were diagnosed as having pancreatic cancer at the Central Hospital of Eskilstuna, Sweden. The mean crude incidence rate was 15.0 X 10(-5) year-1. Only 56% of the patients had the diagnosis made prior to death. 63% of the cancers had advanced beyond therapeutic range. Symptoms compatible with upper abdominal disease for more than six months prior to diagnosis occurred in 27% of the cases, and 15% had sought medical advice more than 6 months prior to diagnosis. Radical surgery was performed on 5 patients of whom one died postoperatively, and 61 patients (34%) underwent palliative treatment. The postoperative mortality rate after palliative treatment was 28%. The mean survival time for the whole series was 2.6 months, and 13% survived for one year. One patient survived for 2 years after palliative treatment. It is concluded that the only means by which the prognosis for patients with pancreatic cancer may be improved is to define populations at high risk and to develop more specific and sensitive diagnostic methods.