Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive and fatal cancers worldwide. In Europe, it is the seventh most common cancer but ranks as the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths, surpassing many other forms of cancer in lethality. According to United European Gastroenterology (UEG), the disease is responsible for nearly 100,000 deaths annually, placing it just behind lung and colorectal cancer in terms of fatality rates.
Incidence and Mortality Trends in Europe
Pancreatic cancer is particularly concerning because, unlike many other cancers, both its incidence and mortality rates are increasing in both men and women across Europe. This alarming trend highlights the need for better diagnostic tools, earlier detection, and more effective treatment options.
Between 1992 and 2016, deaths from pancreatic cancer in Europe increased from 56,072 to 90,591 – a staggering 62% increase. This growth in mortality is largely due to late-stage diagnoses, as pancreatic cancer typically does not cause symptoms in its early stages. As a result, many patients are diagnosed when the disease has already spread, leaving few curative treatment options.
Pancreatic Cancer Compared to Other Cancers
Pancreatic cancer affects nearly as many people as oesophageal and liver cancer combined. However, it is significantly deadlier. The median five-year survival rate is just 3%, making it one of the most lethal forms of cancer. By comparison, the five-year survival rates for colorectal and lung cancers are notably higher due to earlier detection and more advanced treatment options.
European Countries with the Highest and Lowest Incidence Rates
The incidence of pancreatic cancer varies significantly across different European nations. The ten countries with the highest incidence rates are:
- Latvia
- Hungary
- Germany
- Italy
- Estonia
- Austria
- Finland
- France
- Czech Republic
- Slovenia
The lowest incidence rates are found in Cyprus and Ireland, while the UK
has a moderate incidence rate, and about 60% of that seen in Slovenia. Pancreatic cancer rates in general are highest in developed countries, most likely due to the connection between pancreatic cancer and insulin resistance.
Why Is Pancreatic Cancer So Deadly?
There are several reasons why pancreatic cancer has such a high mortality rate:
- Late Diagnosis: Since early symptoms are vague or non-existent, most cases are diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited.
- Aggressive Nature: Pancreatic cancer spreads rapidly, often affecting the liver, lungs, and peritoneum before it is detected.
- Lack of Effective Screening: Unlike breast or colorectal cancer, there are no widely available screening tests to detect pancreatic cancer early in the general population.
- Limited Treatment Options: Standard chemotherapy and radiation therapy have limited success, especially in advanced cases. Surgery is only an option for a small percentage of patients, as most tumours are inoperable at the time of diagnosis.
Innovative Treatments: Combat Medical’s HIPEC Therapy
Our innovative Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) potentially offers a promising new treatment approach.
What is HIPEC?
HIPEC is a targeted chemotherapy treatment used after cytoreductive surgery to treat peritoneal metastases. After removal of the tumour, heated chemotherapy drugs are circulated in the peritoneal cavity to kill microscopic cancer cells left behind.
This localised chemotherapy approach allows for a higher concentration of cancer-fighting drugs in the affected area while reducing overall toxicity and side effects associated with systemic chemotherapy.
Benefits of HIPEC for Pancreatic Cancer Patients
- Improved Drug Absorption: Heated chemotherapy enhances drug penetration into cancer cells, making the treatment more effective.
- Targeted Therapy: Since the chemotherapy is applied directly to the peritoneum, it reduces systemic toxicity, minimising side effects for the patient.
- Reduced Recurrence Rates: By killing microscopic cancer cells that may be left behind after surgery, HIPEC can lower the risk of the cancer returning.
- Hope for Advanced Cases: While traditional treatments have limited success in advanced pancreatic cancer, HIPEC offers a potential survival benefit for patients with peritoneal metastases.
Future Prospects for Pancreatic Cancer in Europe
Given the alarming rise in pancreatic cancer cases and deaths across Europe, there is much work that needs to be done in educating the general public in terms of:
- Better Awareness: Educating both the public and healthcare providers about pancreatic cancer symptoms and risk factors, including lifestyle choices.
- Early Detection Strategies: Developing and implementing screening methods to catch pancreatic cancer in its early stages.
- More Research Funding: Investing in research for new treatments and diagnostic tools.
- Improved Access to HIPEC and Other Advanced Treatments: Expanding the availability of innovative therapies like HIPEC to more patients across Europe.
If all these steps were implemented, we might have a chance of seeing the outlook for pancreatic cancer patients in Europe greatly improve in the (hopefully not-too-distant) future.
