Risk factors for pancreatic adenocarcinoma and prospects for screening.

ABSTRACT

Pancreatic cancer has one of the worst survival rates of any cancer and is the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality. Early detection and surgery are the patient's best chance for cure. However, symptoms are typically vague and occur when the cancer is unresectable. Population-based mass screening is not practical for this rare disease, though screening and early detection in asymptomatic high-risk patient populations may be indicated.