Gastroenterology Clinics of North America · Aug 25, 2026
Hereditary Pancreatic Cancer
By Levinson E, Hilfrank K, Rustgi SD et al.
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest malignancies, with most patients presenting at advanced stages and experiencing poor survival outcomes. Approximately 10% to 15% of cases are associated with inherited genetic susceptibility, highlighting the critical role of germline genetic testing and family history assessment. Multiple hereditary cancer syndromes, including those involving BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, PALB2, CDKN2A, STK11, TP53, and select Lynch syndrome mismatch repair genes, confer increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Universal germline testing, cascade testing of at-risk relatives, and individualized risk assessment facilitate precision oncology and early detection. Screening for pancreatic cancer using select imaging modalities enables earlier-stage diagnosis and improves survival.