Carcinogenesis in the pancreas.

Carcinoma of the exocrine pancreas has risen in incidence in the United States to the rank of fifth among cancers as a cause of death. The failure to discover means of early diagnosis and successful therapy for this cancer stimulated a study of its prevention, early detection, and treatment. Prevention of this disease depends on understanding both the causes and factors that influence its progression. Epidemiologic studies linked several risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, with this disease, whereas studies in animals and in explant organ cultures showed that many chemicals can induce it. Studies in animals also demonstrated that dietary factors may either enhance or inhibit the process of carcinogenesis in the pancreas. These models provide a basis for further study of pancreatic cancer.