Trends in the Global Incidence of Pancreatic Cancer and a Brief Review of its Histologic and Molecular Subtypes

The global burden of pancreatic cancer has more than doubled in recent decades. It is now the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with an estimated 510,922 new cases and 467,409 deaths in 2022. The incidence of the disease continues to rise annually, with projections indicating a 95.4% increase in new cases by 2050, potentially reaching a total of 998,663 new cases globally. The overall five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is 10% worldwide, showing only a modest improvement compared to the past decade. The rising trends in the incidence rates are likely to continue as the global population ages and access to healthcare improves. The relatively low survival rate is primarily attributed to late-stage diagnoses and the lack of an effective screening method. Currently, population-based screening for asymptomatic individuals is not recommended, highlighting the importance of identifying and monitoring individuals at high risk for pancreatic cancer. Numerous studies have highlighted the differences in the molecular pathology of pancreatic cancer, underscoring the need for continued research to better understand these differences. The silent progression of the disease, poor prognosis, lack of screening options, and the necessity to improve our comprehension of its molecular characteristics emphasize the critical need for ongoing monitoring of disease trends at the population level. This review article analyses trends in the incidence of pancreatic cancer and its histological subtypes and provides an update on its molecular subtypes.