aetiology

Last reviewed 05/2023

The cause of pancreatic carcinoma is unknown.

The following risk factors are known to be associated with the development of pancreatic carcinoma:

  • smoking
  • alcohol
  • increased BMI
  • diabetes
  • chronic pancreatitis
  • family history of pancreatic cancer
  • familial cancer syndromes
    • BRCA1, BRCA2
    • familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
    • Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
    • Lynch syndrome
    • von Hippel-Lindau syndrome
    • Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1
  • other medical conditions
    • inflammatory bowel disease
    • periodontal disease
    • peptic ulcer disease (1)

Certain industries seem to impart a high risk to their workers; occupational exposure to coal gas and aluminium increase the risk.

Coffee consumption is no longer considered to be a risk factor.

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