[Early detection of sporadic pancreatic cancer]

The incidence of pancreatic cancer is rising. At present, pancreatic cancer is the third most common cancer-causing death in Germany, but it is expected to become the second in 2030 and finally the leading cause of cancer death in 2050. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PC) is generally diagnosed at advanced stages, and 5-year-survival has remained poor. Early detection of sporadic PC at stage IA, however, can yield a 5-year-survival rate of about 80%. Early detection initiatives aim at identifying persons at high risk. People with new-onset diabetes at age 50 or older have attracted much interest. Novel strategies regarding how to detect sporadic PC at an early stage are being discussed.