La Revue du Praticien · Oct 2026
Increasing incidence of pancreatic adenocarcinoma
By Descourvières C, Rebours V
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers, with a 5-year survival rate of 11 to 13%. The rising incidence is such that pancreatic cancer is expected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death by 2030 in Western countries.The main risk factors for pancreatic cancer are age, tobacco use, obesity, diabetes, genetic predisposition, and chronic pancreatitis. Much of the increase in the incidence of pancreatic cancer remains unexplained but is likely related to environmental factors that have not yet been identified, as well as the increase in the incidence of metabolic syndrome.General population screening is not recommended but should be proposed in cases of familial history of pancreatic cancer, specific genetic mutations, or precancerous lesions such as intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), especially if high-risk criteria are present.