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Review
. 2015 Jul 14;21(26):7988-8003.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i26.7988.

Current status and progress of pancreatic cancer in China

Quan-Jun Lin  1 , Feng Yang  1 , Chen Jin  1 , De-Liang Fu  1
Affiliations
Review

Current status and progress of pancreatic cancer in China

Quan-Jun Lin et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Cancer is currently one of the most important public health problems in the world. Pancreatic cancer is a fatal disease with poor prognosis. As in most other countries, the health burden of pancreatic cancer in China is increasing, with annual mortality rates almost equal to incidence rates. The increasing trend of pancreatic cancer incidence is more significant in the rural areas than in the urban areas. Annual diagnoses and deaths of pancreatic cancer in China are now beyond the number of cases in the United States. GLOBOCAN 2012 estimates that cases in China account for 19.45% (65727/337872) of all newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer and 19.27% (63662/330391) of all deaths from pancreatic cancer worldwide. The population's growing socioeconomic status contributes to the rapid increase of China's proportional contribution to global rates. Here, we present an overview of control programs for pancreatic cancer in China focusing on prevention, early diagnosis and treatment. In addition, we describe key epidemiological, demographic, and socioeconomic differences between China and developed countries. Facts including no nationwide screening program for pancreatic cancer, delay in early detection resulting in a late stage at presentation, lack of awareness of pancreatic cancer in the Chinese population, and low investment compared with other cancer types by government have led to backwardness in China's pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment. Finally, we suggest measures to improve health outcomes of pancreatic cancer patients in China.

Keywords: Diagnosis; Incidence; Pancreatic cancer; Treatment.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Map of estimated global pancreatic cancer incidence rates according to GLOBOCAN 2012.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Map of estimated global pancreatic cancer mortality rates according to GLOBOCAN 2012.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Crude rate (1/105) of pancreatic cancer in China. Figure based on data from the Chinese Cancer Registry annual report (2012).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Age-specific incidence of pancreatic cancer in China, 2009. Figure based on data from the Chinese Cancer Registry annual report.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Comparison of age distribution of patients with pancreatic cancer between China and some major countries and continents.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Comparison of mortality-to-prevalence ratio of pancreatic cancer between China and some major countries and continents.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Age-specific mortality of pancreatic cancer in China, 2009. Figure based on data from the Chinese Cancer Registry annual report.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Publications by country in progress for pancreatic cancer over time.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Numbers and research funding of National Natural Science Foundation of China about pancreatic cancer and other major malignancies over time.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Estimated pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality in the next 20 years in China according to Globocan 2012.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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