Exocrine pancreatic cancer as a second primary malignancy: A population-based study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Epidemiology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Cancer survivors have a higher risk of secondary primary malignancies.
• Established surveillance strategies for cancer survivors are lacking.
• Identifying high-risk primary cancers for secondary exocrine pancreatic cancer (EPC) is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify specific first primary cancers associated with an elevated risk of developing second primary exocrine pancreatic cancer (EPC).

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Korea Central Cancer Registry (1993-2017).
• Analyzed standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for second primary EPCs based on primary tumor sites and follow-up durations.
• Included over 3.2 million individuals diagnosed with a first primary cancer.

Main Results:

• 0.15% of individuals developed a second primary EPC.
• Elevated SIRs for second primary EPCs were observed in survivors of bile duct, small intestine, gallbladder, and breast cancers within five years.
• Increased SIRs persisted for bile duct, gallbladder, kidney, ovary, and breast cancer survivors beyond five years.

Conclusions:

• Survivors of bile duct, gallbladder, kidney, ovary, and female breast cancer require vigilant monitoring for secondary EPC development.
• Surveillance for second primary EPCs should extend beyond five years for at-risk survivor populations.
• This study highlights specific cancer types necessitating targeted follow-up strategies in survivors.