In this study we present the results of the global burden of disease (GBD), a systematic global effort, on mortality, incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due pancreatic cancer (PC) Worldwide.

GBD methods

In 2017, there were 447 thousand (95% UI 438–456) incident cases of PC globally. The age-standardised incidence rate was 5·0 (4·9–5·1) per 100 000 in 1990 and increased to 5·7 (5·6–5·8) per 100 000 in 2017. There was a 2·3-times increase in number of deaths for both sexes from 196 thousand (193–200) in 1990 to 441 thousand (433–449) in 2017. In both 1990 and 2017, 52% of total incident cases occurred in males. There was a two-times increase in DALYs due to PC, increasing from 4·4 million (4·3–4·4) in 1990 to 9·1 million (8·9–9·3) in 2017. The age-standardised death rate of PC was highest in the high-income super-region across all years from 1990 to 2017. In both 1990 and 2017, the highest age-standardised death rates were observed in Greenland (17·4 [95% UI 15·8–18·9] per 100 000 in 2017) and Uruguay (12·1 [10·9–13·5] per 100 000 in 2017). Bangladesh (1·9 [1·5–2·3] per 100 000) had the lowest rate in 2017, while Yemen (1·3 [1·0–2·1] per 100 000) had the lowest rate in 1990. PC deaths worldwide were primarily attributable to smoking (21·2% [95% UI 18·9–23·8]), high fasting plasma glucose (8·8% [2·1–19·2]), and high body-mass index (6·2% [2·5–11·5]) in 2017.

Globally, the burden of PC has more than doubled from 1990 to 2017. The increase in incidence of PC may continue as the population ages. Prevention strategies should focus on modifiable risk factors. Development of screening programmes for early detection and more effective treatment strategies for PC are mandatory.