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

BackgroundPancreatic 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.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to investigate the incidence, clinical profile, and the frequency of associated factors of pancreatic cancer in Kuwait.MethodsThe 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionsPancreatic 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.