Key Takeaways

A recent epidemiological study from researchers at Boston Medical Center showed that people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer were six times more likely to have been treated forgallstone diseasethe year before their cancer diagnosis.

The researchers now wonder if the link could lead to a way to detect pancreatic cancer earlier when it’s at a more treatable stage. Finding and treating the cancer sooner could improve outcomes for the estimated 62,210 people who are diagnosed with it each year.

The early findings from the study were presented in May during the 2022 Digestive Disease Week conference in San Diego.

What Causes Pancreatic Cancer?

What the Researchers Found

The researchers used data from the SEER-Medicare database—which links cancer data from the National Cancer Institute with Medicare data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services—from 2008 to 2015. They identified patients who were diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) who also had gallstone disease the year before they got a cancer diagnosis.

Of the 18,700 people with PDAC identified, 4.7% also had gallstone disease. Of those people, 1.6%had their gallbladders removed.

The researchers also noted that the people diagnosed with PDAC who also had a history of gallstone disease were diagnosed with cancer at an early stage and underwent surgery at a higher rate than the people with PDAC who did not have gallstone disease.

Limitations of the Study

Walter Park, MD, associate professor of gastroenterology and hepatology at Stanford Hospital and Clinics told Verywell that “while this information is still premature and details of the study are unknown, there does seem to be a pattern—but not necessarily a causality.”

Park—who was not involved in the study—also explained that “people with gallbladder disease are already in the healthcare system being monitored,” which could explain an earlier diagnosis.

According to Park, when this occurs in research, it’s called detection bias.

While the results of the study do not suggest that gallstones lead to pancreatic cancer, there are a variety of reasons that people with a history of gallstone disease need close follow-up from their healthcare providers. Keeping an eye on them for a potential cancer diagnosis down the road could be another one.

In a press release for the research,Marianna Papageorge, MD, a research fellow at Boston Medical Center and lead researcher on the study, pointed out that “pancreatic cancer is very rare, and many people have gallstone disease.”

“[The study’s findings] should motivate us to ensure that patients have good follow-up care, that they’re seeing a primary care physician more regularly, and following up with their surgeon if they had their gallbladder removed,” Papageorge said, adding that continuation of care will help lead to an earlier cancer diagnosis.

Is Pancreatic Cancer Treatable?

Gallstones and the Pancreas

Gallstones, which are common and affect approximately 15% of the population, are tiny, hard (almost rock-like) substances made ofcholesterolandbilirubinthat form in the gallbladder.

A person with a case of acute pancreatitis may have to be in the hospital to get fluids and antibiotics. If they can’t eat, they may need to have a tube placed for nutrition.

If a person keeps getting “attacks” of pancreatitis, it usually means the condition has become chronic. Sometimes, changing their diet can help but they may need surgery if it’s severe.

What Is Pancreatitis?

Why We Need Better Pancreatic Cancer Screening

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States behind lung and colon cancer.It’s a type of cancer that’s hard to diagnose early because the symptoms often do not appear until thetumor has grown or spreadto other parts of the body.

According to the American Cancer Society, about half of pancreatic cancers have metastasized at the time of diagnosis, leaving people with fewer treatment options.

When a person with pancreatic does have symptoms, they may include:

What Are the Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer?

Current Pancreatic Cancer Screening and Diagnosis

The currently used diagnostic tests for pancreatic cancer do not reduce a person’s risk of dying from the disease. Therefore, there isn’t a general population screening for pancreatic cancer like there is for other types of cancer.

Screening for pancreatic cancer is only recommended for high-risk people who are over the age of 50 and have risk factors including:

Who Gets Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer screening usually starts with a physical and detailed family history. If signs and symptoms are present, pancreatic cancer can be diagnosed using imaging tests such as:

How Is Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosed?

Can Pancreatic Cancer Be Prevented?

There’s no one way to prevent pancreatic cancer. However, if your age, family history, and genetics put you at a higher risk for pancreatic cancer, there are steps you can take to help lower your risk, including:

What to Eat If You Have Chronic Pancreatitis

More Research Needed

While experts are waiting for the new study to be fully published, the initial results could spur more research into the pattern of gallstone disease and a later pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

While the new study provided some insight into how many people with pancreatic cancer also had gallstone disease, Park said he would like to know the percentage of people with gallstone disease that develop pancreatic cancer.

What This Means For You

Can You Survive Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer?

8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Digestive Disease Week.Gallstone disease shown to be strong predictor of pancreatic cancer.Siegel RL, Miller KD, Fuchs HE, Jemal A.Cancer statistics, 2022.CA A Cancer J Clinicians. 2022;72(1):7-33. doi:10.3322/caac.21708National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for gallstones.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for pancreatitis.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer.Aslanian HR, Lee JH, Canto MI.AGA clinical practice update on pancreas cancer screening in high-risk individuals: expert review.Gastroenterology. 2020;159(1):358-362. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.03.088American Cancer Society.Tests for pancreatic cancer.American Cancer Society.Can pancreatic cancer be prevented?.

8 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Digestive Disease Week.Gallstone disease shown to be strong predictor of pancreatic cancer.Siegel RL, Miller KD, Fuchs HE, Jemal A.Cancer statistics, 2022.CA A Cancer J Clinicians. 2022;72(1):7-33. doi:10.3322/caac.21708National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for gallstones.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for pancreatitis.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer.Aslanian HR, Lee JH, Canto MI.AGA clinical practice update on pancreas cancer screening in high-risk individuals: expert review.Gastroenterology. 2020;159(1):358-362. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.03.088American Cancer Society.Tests for pancreatic cancer.American Cancer Society.Can pancreatic cancer be prevented?.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Digestive Disease Week.Gallstone disease shown to be strong predictor of pancreatic cancer.Siegel RL, Miller KD, Fuchs HE, Jemal A.Cancer statistics, 2022.CA A Cancer J Clinicians. 2022;72(1):7-33. doi:10.3322/caac.21708National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for gallstones.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for pancreatitis.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer.Aslanian HR, Lee JH, Canto MI.AGA clinical practice update on pancreas cancer screening in high-risk individuals: expert review.Gastroenterology. 2020;159(1):358-362. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.03.088American Cancer Society.Tests for pancreatic cancer.American Cancer Society.Can pancreatic cancer be prevented?.

Digestive Disease Week.Gallstone disease shown to be strong predictor of pancreatic cancer.

Siegel RL, Miller KD, Fuchs HE, Jemal A.Cancer statistics, 2022.CA A Cancer J Clinicians. 2022;72(1):7-33. doi:10.3322/caac.21708

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for gallstones.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for pancreatitis.

American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer.

Aslanian HR, Lee JH, Canto MI.AGA clinical practice update on pancreas cancer screening in high-risk individuals: expert review.Gastroenterology. 2020;159(1):358-362. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.03.088

American Cancer Society.Tests for pancreatic cancer.

American Cancer Society.Can pancreatic cancer be prevented?.

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