Pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is the 10th-most-common malignancy in the UK, affecting around 8800 people in 2011. However, it is the fifth-most-common cause of death from cancer in men and the fourth-most-common cause in women. The early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is made difficult by its often non-specific presenting symptoms. The stage of disease at diagnosis has significant prognostic importance, and as such, early investigation and referral of patients with suspicious symptoms is crucial. The 1-, 5- and 10-year survival rates are 21, 3 and 1%, respectively; therefore, GPs play an important role in the palliation of patients with incurable disease.