Pancreatic Cancer

Deaths from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, also known as pancreatic cancer, rank fourth among cancer-related deaths in the United States, yet the causes of pancreatic cancer remain unknown. This review article summarizes recent progress in the understanding and management of pancreatic cancer. Deaths from pancreatic cancer rank fourth among cancer-related deaths in the United States. This article summarizes recent progress in the understanding and management of pancreatic cancer. Deaths from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, also known as pancreatic cancer, rank fourth among cancer-related deaths in the United States. In 2008, the estimated incidence of pancreatic cancer in the United States was 37,700 cases, and an estimated 34,300 patients died from the disease. 1 Pancreatic cancer is more common in elderly persons than in younger persons, and less than 20% of patients present with localized, potentially curable tumors. The overall 5-year survival rate among patients with pancreatic cancer is