Epidemiology

Total

0–14

15–39

40–44

45–49

50–54

55–59

60–64

65–69

70–74

75+

Crude

ASR(W)

Both

337,872

0.0

0.2

1.3

3.1

6.1

10.4

16.5

24.0

32.5

55.7

4.8

4.2

Men

178,161

0.0

0.2

1.6

3.9

7.5

12.8

20.1

28.5

37.2

60.6

5.0

4.9

Women

159,711

0.0

0.2

1.0

2.4

4.7

8.0

13.2

20.0

28.6

52.4

4.6

3.6

Crude and age-standardized rates per 100,000

Fig. 1.1

(a) Incidence of pancreatic cancer in men. (b) Incidence of pancreatic cancer in women

Fig. 1.2

Incidence prediction of pancreatic cancer in 2025 (Population forecasts were extracted from the United Nations, World Population prospects, the 2012 revision. The numbers were computed using age-specific rates and corresponding populations for 10 age-groups)

In the United States of America, pancreatic cancer is the 2nd most common malignant tumor of the gastrointestinal tract and the 4th leading cause of cancer-related death in adults. In Europe, pancreatic cancer is the 8th most common cancer, with around 104,000 new cases diagnosed with the disease in 2012 (3% of the total number of cases). The highest age-standardized incidence rates for pancreatic cancer worldwide are in the Czech Republic for both men and women; the lowest rates are in Bosnia and Herzegovina for both men and women. The United Kingdom (UK) pancreatic cancer incidence rates are estimated to be the 8th lowest for male patients in Europe and the 20th highest for female patients [1]. These data are broadly in line with Europe-specific data available elsewhere [2].

The highest rates of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma are recorded among African Americans (about 12 per 100,000 men and 10 per 100,000 women) and among the indigenous population in Oceania. The lowest rates (<2 per 100,000 men and 1 per 100,000 women), which may be partly attributable to underdiagnosis, are recorded in India, Northern and Central Africa, and Southeast Asia.

1.1.2 Mortality

Pancreatic cancer is the 7th most common cause of cancer death worldwide, with 330,391 deaths from pancreatic cancer in 2012 (4% of the total number of deaths).

It is the 5th most common cause of cancer death in Europe overall, with more than 104,000 deaths from pancreatic cancer in 2012 (6% of the total number of deaths). In Europe in 2012, the highest age-standardized mortality rates for pancreatic cancer are in Macedonia for men and in Slovakia for women; the lowest rates are in Iceland for men and Belarus for women. The UK pancreatic cancer mortality rates are estimated to be the 5th lowest for males in Europe and 17th lowest for females [1]. These data are broadly in line with Europe-specific data available elsewhere [2] (Figs. 1.3 and 1.4, Table 1.2).