Deck 19: Epidemiology of Pancreatic Cancer

Question 1

During the decade, 2008-2018, the annual number of cases of pancreatic cancer in the world population increased by 65%, and the number of deaths from this malignancy increased by 62%.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Most pancreatic tumors arise from the Islets of Langerhans (endocrine cells that secrete insulin, glucagon, and other polypeptide hormones).

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Most pancreatic tumors arise from the epithelial lining of the exocrine pancreas (the ducts that secrete powerful digestive enzymes).

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Tobacco addiction and chronic alcohol consumption are independent risk factors for the development of pancreatic cancer.

Question 5

Higher rates of pancreatic cancer have been found in association with increased dietary intake of saturated fats from animal and dairy sources.

Question 6

Higher rates of pancreatic cancer have been found in association with increased dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil and olive oil.

Question 7

Chronic pancreatitis predisposes to the development of pancreatic cancer.

Question 8

The main cause of chronic pancreatitis is tobacco smoking.

Question 9

Germ line mutations clearly cause more pancreatic cancers than somatic mutations.

Question 10

Type 2 diabetes is associated with the development of pancreatic cancer, although studies of these conditions may be influenced by "reverse causality bias."

Question 11

What is the percentage of pancreatic cancers that arise in the exocrine portion of the gland?

A) 80%
B) 90%
C) 95%
D) 99%

Question 12

Approximately 99% of malignant pancreatic tumors are:

A) squamous cell carcinomas.
B) adenocarcinomas.
C) sarcomas.
D) lymphomas.

Question 13

The risk of pancreatic cancer is increased by:

A) high intake of omega-3 fatty acids.
B) high intake of omega-6 fatty acids.
C) low intake of saturated fats.
D) high intake of saturated fats.
E) a and c are correct.

Question 14

Significant causes of chronic pancreatitis include all of the following except:

A) chronic alcohol abuse.
B) chronic cholelithiasis.
C) autoimmune disease.
D) cigarette smoking.

Question 15

Cystic fibrosis increases the risk of pancreatic cancer by approximately:

A) two-fold.
B) five-fold.
C) ten-fold.
D) twenty-fold.

Question 16

Somatic mutations of what gene are found in up to 90% of pancreatic tumors?

A) BRCA-1
B) BRCA-2
C) CFTR
D) K-RAS

Question 17

What type of bias may influence the association of type 2 diabetes and pancreatic cancer?

A) Berkson's bias
B) Differential selection bias
C) Reverse causality bias
D) Protopathic bias

Question 18

Over-expression of what inducible gene is found in a high percentage of pancreatic tumors?

A) COX-1
B) COX-2
C) BRCA-1
D) BRCA-2

Question 19

Briefly describe the global burden of pancreatic cancer.

Question 20

Describe the anatomic structure of the pancreas and the cellular origin of most pancreatic tumors.

Question 21

Define reverse causality bias and discuss its influence on the association of type 2 diabetes and pancreatic cancer.

Question 22

Discuss genetic factors that increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Question 23

Discuss potential strategies for the prevention of pancreatic cancer.