Pancreatic Cancer Facts

November 22, 2024

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Laleh Melstrom, M.D., M.S., associate professor of surgery and immuno-oncology, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, City of Hope^® Cancer Center Duarte

Pancreatic cancer is one of the top 10 cancers diagnosed in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute, accounting for 3% of all cancer diagnoses. About 67,440 people are expected to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2025.

This guide is designed to help patients and their families learn more about pancreatic cancer prevalence and risk factors.

What Is the Pancreas?

The pancreas is small, only about 6 inches long, but it plays an important role in the digestive system. Located deep within the abdomen, the pancreas produces insulin to help regulate blood sugar level and aids in breaking down foods.

What Is Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer develops when cells in the pancreas begin to grow uncontrollably. There are two types of pancreatic cancer tumors, exocrine and endocrine. Exocrine tumors are more common, while endocrine tumors are rare and make up less than 5% of all pancreatic cancer.

What Causes Pancreatic Cancer?

The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is not known. However, certain risk factors, either inherited or acquired during a person’s lifetime, may increase a person’s risk of developing the disease.

What Increases the Risk of Pancreatic Cancer?

A risk factor is something that increases a person’s likelihood of getting a disease. This could be a behavior, a health condition or a hereditary trait — anything that affects the chances of developing an illness. Pancreatic cancer has several risk factors associated with it — some of which a person is able to change and others that are unable to be controlled.

Risk Factors Patients Have Control Over

Smoking: Cigarette smoking is believed to cause 25% of pancreatic cancer cases.

Obesity: Being overweight or obese boosts a person’s chances of developing pancreatic cancer by 20%.

Chronic pancreatitis: This is a type of ongoing pancreatic inflammation that is linked to both long-term alcohol use and smoking.

Diabetes: Patients with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.

Chemical exposure: Long-term exposure to certain workplace chemicals, including those used in metalwork and dry cleaning industries, may increase risk.

Risk Factors Patients Cannot Control

Age: The risk of developing pancreatic cancer increases with age. Nearly all cases occur in people over 45 years of age.

Race and gender: African Americans and men have a somewhat higher chance of getting pancreatic cancer.

Certain illnesses: Patients who have diabetes, chronic pancreatitis or cirrhosis of the liver may have a higher chance of getting pancreatic cancer.

Is Pancreatic Cancer Hereditary?

With inherited genetic syndromes, it is possible that pancreatic cancer runs in some families. Genetic syndromes like Lynch, Peutz-Jeghers and Von Hippel-Lindau may all cause pancreatic cancer. Abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes passed down from parent to child also increases the likelihood of developing pancreatic cancer. If a person is at high risk due to hereditary factors, there may be genetic testing options available. Talk to a doctor to assess needs and evaluate the best course of action.

While a family link is possible, it doesn’t explain all of the cases of pancreatic cancer.

For some, pancreatic cancer may be hereditary, meaning it comes from an inherited genetic condition. Or, families may have a history of pancreatic cancer without a known genetic reason pinpointed.

Certain inherited genetic syndromes may increase a person’s risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Approximately 10% of pancreatic cancer cases are caused by genetic changes. These include the following.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: This genetic defect increases a person’s risk for several cancers, including those of the breast, ovary, lung, cervix, gastrointestinal tract and pancreas.

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer: These are caused by mutated BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM or PALB2 genes.

Lynch syndrome: Some research indicates that the DNA mutations associated with this syndrome (also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer) may increase the risk for developing pancreatic cancer.

Ataxia-telangiectasia (AT): This is a neurological condition caused by mutations in the ATM gene.

Hereditary pancreatitis: Caused by mutations to the PRSS1 gene, hereditary pancreatitis raises the risk for developing pancreatic cancer and developing it at an earlier age.

Familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome: Genetic changes to the p16/CDKN2A gene may lead to eye and skin melanomas, and may also increase the pancreatic cancer risk. For patients who are at high risk due to hereditary factors, genetic testing is available. Patients should talk with their doctor to evaluate the best course of action.

It is also possible to develop pancreatic cancer with no family history of the disease.

Risk Factors That Need More Research

Researchers are still learning exactly which risk factors are strongly tied to pancreatic cancer. These risk factors are believed to be linked to pancreatic cancer, but more research is needed.

Daily activity levels: Exercising and moving every day may lower a person’s risk, as some research has shown that inactivity might increase it.

Diet: Consuming sugary drinks and frequently eating processed and/or red meats may cause an increased risk.

Certain types of infections: Hepatitis B and Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that causes stomach ulcers, may increase pancreatic cancer risk.

Alcohol use: Heavy use of alcohol is a known cause of chronic pancreatitis, which is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer.

Coffee use: Earlier research had suggested coffee consumption might affect pancreatic cancer risk, but more recent studies have concluded this is probably unlikely.

Pancreatic Cancer Vaccines as Treatment

Researchers are constantly working on ways to improve health outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer. One promising development is a pancreatic cancer vaccine, a form of immunotherapy, meaning it helps the patient’s own immune system destroy cancer cells.

Each vaccine is personalized based on the tumor’s genetic makeup. Cancer cells produce neoantigens, a type of protein. The vaccine works by helping the immune system better find these neoantigens, so it is able to destroy them.

The vaccine is being tested in a large clinical trial and may one day become an important treatment option for those with pancreatic cancer.