胰腺癌可能是最难应付的癌症。第一,胰腺癌是常见病,英国每年有6000人死于此病。在美国,胰腺癌的发生率是前50年的3倍,目前是因癌症而死亡的第4个主要原因。第二,我们对胰腺癌发病原因的了解不如对其他常见癌症的了解。第三,除了小的胰头癌偶尔可以治愈外,实际上是不治之症(不包括囊腺癌、胰岛细胞癌,及罕见的实体和乳头状瘤,这几种病加在一起还不到胰腺瘤的5％。)第四,治疗需要冒险施行大手术,甚至减轻病症也较困难。胰腺癌在老年人、男人、黑人和吸烟者中较常见。此病与城市化、职业性致癌物、咖啡 Pancreatic cancer may be the most difficult cancer to cope with. First, pancreatic cancer is a common disease. Every year, 6,000 people in Britain die of the disease. In the United States, the incidence of pancreatic cancer is three times that of the first 50 years and is currently the fourth leading cause of death from cancer. Second, we have less understanding of the causes of pancreatic cancer than other common cancers. Third, in addition to the occasional cure for small pancreatic head cancer, it is virtually incurable (excluding cystadenocarcinoma, islet cell carcinoma, and rare solid and papilloma, which are not combined together. 5% of pancreatic tumors.) Fourth, treatment requires the risk of major surgery and even relief of illness. Pancreatic cancer is more common in older adults, men, blacks, and smokers. The disease and urbanization, occupational carcinogens, coffee