Epidemiology, risk factors, and the promotion of pancreatic cancer: role of the stellate cell

J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012 Mar;27 Suppl 2(0 2):127-34. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2011.07013.x.

Abstract

There are approximately 277,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer and 266,000 deaths from pancreatic cancer annually, indicating a mortality rate of 96% of the cases diagnosed. Because of the ineffectiveness of therapies, a major emphasis needs to be placed on prevention. This paper reviews the epidemiology and risk factors for pancreatic cancer, and uses this information to propose plausible research directions for determining the biological mechanisms mediating the effects of risk factors on the promotion of pancreatic cancer, with a focus on the pancreatic stellate cell.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Environment
  • Humans
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Pancreatic Stellate Cells / metabolism*
  • Pancreatic Stellate Cells / pathology
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Signal Transduction*