Pancreatic cancer: Incidence, clinical profile, and frequency of associated factors in Kuwait

Abstract

Background: Pancreatic cancer is an uncommon tumor, but because the mortality rate approaches 100%, this form of cancer has now become a common cause of cancer mortality. Diabetes has been postulated to be both a risk factor and a consequence of pancreatic cancer, but the degree of risk and associated clinical factors remain unclear.
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to investigate the incidence, clinical profile, and the frequency of associated factors of pancreatic cancer in Kuwait.
Methods: The study design was a retrospective hospital-based record study in which records of 251 pancreatic cancer patients registered, evaluated and treated at Kuwait cancer control center from January 2004 through December 2010 were studied.
Results: The overall pancreatic cancer incidence was 0.9/100000 population. Pancreatic cancer was more frequent in older, obese, smoker, diabetic Kuwaiti males with family history of pancreatic cancer. Metastasis was diagnosed in 67.7% of patients at diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
Conclusions: Pancreatic cancer in Kuwait is diagnosed in late stages. Screening for this disease was indicated specially in diabetic patients. A comprehensive comparative study is required for determination of risk factors that could be associated with the disease.

Keywords: Pancreatic cancer; Profile; Diabetes mellitus