A LITERATURE REVIEW ON PANCREATIC CANCER

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal neoplasms, with a five-year survival rate of less than 10%, due to late diagnosis and tumor aggressiveness. It is the seventh leading cause of cancer death globally, with increasing incidence in developed countries such as the United States and Europe. The disease is more common in individuals over 60 years of age, with a slight predominance in men. Therefore, this narrative literature review gathered articles published in the last 5 years in PUBMED with the aim of identifying the risk factors related to the development of pancreatic cancer. It was concluded that the main risk factors include family history, hereditary syndromes (such as BRCA2 mutations and Lynch syndrome), smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and chronic pancreatitis. Occupational factors, such as exposure to chemicals and heavy metals, also increase the risk. Underlying biological mechanisms, such as chronic inflammation, genetic and epigenetic alterations, and the role of microbiota, are critical in pancreatic carcinogenesis. Given the high mortality and difficulty in early detection, pancreatic cancer represents a significant public health challenge, emphasizing the need for preventive strategies, early diagnosis, and more effective treatments.