Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Pancreatic cancer and medical history in a population-based case–control study in the San Francisco Bay Area, California

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Cancer Causes & Control Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To determine the association between pancreatic cancer and medical conditions.

Methods

A large population-based case–control study identified pancreatic cancer cases in the San Francisco Bay Area between 1995 and 1999. A total of 1,701 controls were randomly selected from the same population and were frequency-matched to 532 cases by sex and age. In-person interviews were conducted with no proxy interviews.

Results

Prior history of gallbladder disease was associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.2–2.2), with the highest risk occurring for gallbladder disease not caused by cholelithiasis (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.1–3.7). Risk was associated with cholelithiasis only for participants diagnosed within the year before their pancreatic cancer (OR = 15, 95% CI = 6.2–34), and for those with cholelithiasis and cholecystectomy within the same time frame (OR = 28, 95% CI = 8.2–96). Gastric and/or duodenal ulcers were associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer for individuals with ulcers of ≤two years duration (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.1–4.6). Hyperthyroidism (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.0–4.2) and “other” thyroid conditions (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.1–4.2) were associated with increased risk. Participants with at least one first-degree relative with pancreatic cancer had an increased risk (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1–2.5).

Conclusion

History of recent gallbladder conditions, gastric and/or duodenal ulcers may represent an early manifestation of pancreatic cancer rather than an independent risk factor. These results warrant further investigation in pooled analyses.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Jemal A, Siegel R, Ward E, Murray T, Xu J, Thun MJ (2007) Cancer statistics, 2007. CA Cancer J Clin 57:43–66

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Michaud DS, Skinner HG, Wu K et al (2005) Dietary patterns and pancreatic cancer risk in men and women. J Natl Cancer Inst 97:518–524

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Nothlings U, Wilkens LR, Murphy SP, Hankin JH, Henderson BE, Kolonel LN (2005) Meat and fat intake as risk factors for pancreatic cancer: the multiethnic cohort study. J Natl Cancer Inst 97:1458–1465

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Calle EE, Rodriguez C, Walker-Thurmond K, Thun MJ (2003) Overweight, obesity, and mortality from cancer in a prospectively studied cohort of US adults. N Engl J Med 348:1625–1638

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Holly EA, Eberle CA, Bracci PM (2003) Prior history of allergies and pancreatic cancer in the San Francisco Bay area. Am J Epidemiol 158:432–441

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Fisher WE (2001) Diabetes: risk factor for the development of pancreatic cancer or manifestation of the disease? World J Surg 25:503–508

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Michaud DS, Giovannucci E, Willett WC, Colditz GA, Stampfer MJ, Fuchs CS (2001) Physical activity, obesity, height, and the risk of pancreatic cancer. Jama 286:921–929

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Silverman DT (2001) Risk factors for pancreatic cancer: a case–control study based on direct interviews. Teratog Carcinog Mutagen 21:7–25

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Hoppin JA, Tolbert PE, Holly EA et al (2000) Pancreatic cancer and serum organochlorine levels. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 9:199–205

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Silverman DT, Schiffman M, Everhart J et al (1999) Diabetes mellitus, other medical conditions and familial history of cancer as risk factors for pancreatic cancer. Br J Cancer 80:1830–1837

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Fuchs CS, Colditz GA, Stampfer MJ et al (1996) A prospective study of cigarette smoking and the risk of pancreatic cancer. Arch Intern Med 156:2255–2260

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Everhart J, Wright D (1995) Diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. A meta-analysis. Jama 273:1605–1609

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Silverman DT, Dunn JA, Hoover RN et al (1994) Cigarette smoking and pancreas cancer: a case–control study based on direct interviews. J Natl Cancer Inst 86:1510–1516

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Howe GR, Jain M, Burch JD, Miller AB (1991) Cigarette smoking and cancer of the pancreas: evidence from a population-based case–control study in Toronto, Canada. Int J Cancer 47:323–328

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Anderson KE, Mack TM, Silverman DT (2006) Cancer of the Pancreas. In: Schottenfeld D, Fraumeni JF (eds) Cancer epidemiology and prevention, 3rd edn. Oxford University Press, New York, pp 721–763

    Google Scholar 

  16. Klein AP, Brune KA, Petersen GM et al (2004) Prospective risk of pancreatic cancer in familial pancreatic cancer kindreds. Cancer Res 64:2634–2638

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Klein AP, Hruban RH, Brune KA, Petersen GM, Goggins M (2001) Familial pancreatic cancer. Cancer J 7:266–273

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Schenk M, Schwartz AG, O’Neal E et al (2001) Familial risk of pancreatic cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 93:640–644

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Tersmette AC, Petersen GM, Offerhaus GJ et al (2001) Increased risk of incident pancreatic cancer among first-degree relatives of patients with familial pancreatic cancer. Clin Cancer Res 7:738–744

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Fernandez E, La Vecchia C, D’Avanzo B, Negri E, Franceschi S (1994) Family history and the risk of liver, gallbladder, and pancreatic cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 3:209–212

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Ghadirian P, Boyle P, Simard A, Baillargeon J, Maisonneuve P, Perret C (1991) Reported family aggregation of pancreatic cancer within a population-based case–control study in the Francophone community in Montreal, Canada. Int J Pancreatol 10:183–196

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Falk RT, Pickle LW, Fontham ET, Correa P, Fraumeni JF Jr (1988) Life-style risk factors for pancreatic cancer in Louisiana: a case–control study. Am J Epidemiol 128:324–336

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Brentnall TA, Bronner MP, Byrd DR, Haggitt RC, Kimmey MB (1999) Early diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic dysplasia in patients with a family history of pancreatic cancer. Ann Intern Med 131:247–255

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Huxley R, Ansary-Moghaddam A, Berrington de Gonzalez A, Barzi F, Woodward M (2005) Type-II diabetes and pancreatic cancer: a meta-analysis of 36 studies. Br J Cancer 92:2076–2083

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Bueno de Mesquita HB, Maisonneuve P, Moerman CJ, Walker AM (1992) Aspects of medical history and exocrine carcinoma of the pancreas: a population-based case–control study in The Netherlands. Int J Cancer 52:17–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. La Vecchia C, Negri E, D’Avanzo B et al (1990) Medical history, diet and pancreatic cancer. Oncology 47:463–466

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Cuzick J, Babiker AG (1989) Pancreatic cancer, alcohol, diabetes mellitus and gall-bladder disease. Int J Cancer 43:415–421

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Wang F, Gupta S, Holly EA (2006) Diabetes mellitus and pancreatic cancer in a population-based case–control study in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 15:1458–1463

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Duell EJ, Holly EA (2005) Reproductive and menstrual risk factors for pancreatic cancer: a population-based study of San Francisco Bay Area women. Am J Epidemiol 161:741–747

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Chan JM, Wang F, Holly EA (2005) Vegetable and fruit intake and pancreatic cancer in a population-based case–control study in the san francisco bay area. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 14:2093–2097

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Duell EJ, Holly EA, Bracci PM, Wiencke JK, Kelsey KT (2002) A population-based study of the Arg399Gln polymorphism in X-ray repair cross- complementing group 1 (XRCC1) and risk of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Cancer Res 62:4630–4636

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Duell EJ, Holly EA, Bracci PM, Liu M, Wiencke JK, Kelsey KT (2002) A population-based, case–control study of polymorphisms in carcinogen-metabolizing genes, smoking, and pancreatic adenocarcinoma risk. J Natl Cancer Inst 94:297–306

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Slebos RJ, Hoppin JA, Tolbert PE et al (2000) K-ras and p53 in pancreatic cancer: association with medical history, histopathology, and environmental exposures in a population-based study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 9:1223–1232

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Schernhammer ES, Michaud DS, Leitzmann MF, Giovannucci E, Colditz GA, Fuchs CS (2002) Gallstones, cholecystectomy, and the risk for developing pancreatic cancer. Br J Cancer 86:1081–1084

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Lin Y, Tamakoshi A, Kawamura T et al (2002) Risk of pancreatic cancer in relation to alcohol drinking, coffee consumption and medical history: findings from the Japan collaborative cohort study for evaluation of cancer risk. Int J Cancer 99:742–746

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Stolzenberg-Solomon RZ, Pietinen P, Taylor PR, Virtamo J, Albanes D (2002) A prospective study of medical conditions, anthropometry, physical activity, and pancreatic cancer in male smokers (Finland). Cancer Causes Control 13:417–426

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Talamini G, Falconi M, Bassi C et al (2001) Previous cholecystectomy, gastrectomy, and diabetes mellitus are not crucial risk factors for pancreatic cancer in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Pancreas 23:364–367

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Ye W, Lagergren J, Nyren O, Ekbom A (2001) Risk of pancreatic cancer after cholecystectomy: a cohort study in Sweden. Gut 49:678–681

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Coughlin SS, Calle EE, Patel AV, Thun MJ (2000) Predictors of pancreatic cancer mortality among a large cohort of United States adults. Cancer Causes Control 11:915–923

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Chow WH, Johansen C, Gridley G, Mellemkjaer L, Olsen JH, Fraumeni JF Jr (1999) Gallstones, cholecystectomy and risk of cancers of the liver, biliary tract and pancreas. Br J Cancer 79:640–644

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Schattner A, Fenakel G, Malnick SD (1997) Cholelithiasis and pancreatic cancer. A case–control study. J Clin Gastroenterol 25:602–604

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Johansen C, Chow WH, Jorgensen T, Mellemkjaer L, Engholm G, Olsen JH (1996) Risk of colorectal cancer and other cancers in patients with gall stones. Gut 39:439–443

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Ekbom A, Yuen J, Karlsson BM, McLaughlin JK, Adami HO (1996) Risk of pancreatic and periampullar cancer following cholecystectomy: a population-based cohort study. Dig Dis Sci 41:387–391

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Shibata A, Mack TM, Paganini-Hill A, Ross RK, Henderson BE (1994) A prospective study of pancreatic cancer in the elderly. Int J Cancer 58:46–49

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Kalapothaki V, Tzonou A, Hsieh CC et al (1993) Nutrient intake and cancer of the pancreas: a case–control study in Athens, Greece. Cancer Causes Control 4:383–389

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Hyvarinen H, Partanen S (1987) Association of cholecystectomy with abdominal cancers. Hepatogastroenterology 34:280–284

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Maringhini A, Thiruvengadam R, Melton LJ 3rd, Hench VS, Zinsmeister AR, DiMagno EP (1987) Pancreatic cancer risk following gastric surgery. Cancer 60:245–247

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Ichimiya H, Kono S, Ikeda M, Tokudome S, Nakayama F, Kuratsune M (1986) Cancer mortality among patients undergoing cholecystectomy for benign biliary diseases. Jpn J Cancer Res 77:579–583

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Haines AP, Moss AR, Whittemore A, Quivey J (1982) A case–control study of pancreatic carcinoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 103:93–97

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Lin RS, Kessler II (1981) A multifactorial model for pancreatic cancer in man. Epidemiologic evidence. Jama 245:147–152

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Wynder EL, Mabuchi K, Maruchi N, Fortner JG (1973) Epidemiology of cancer of the pancreas. J Natl Cancer Inst 50:645–667

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Gullo L (1999) Risk of pancreatic and periampullary cancer following cholecystectomy. Ann Oncol 10 Suppl 4:127–128

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Kalapothaki V, Tzonou A, Hsieh CC, Toupadaki N, Karakatsani A, Trichopoulos D (1993) Tobacco, ethanol, coffee, pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, and cholelithiasis as risk factors for pancreatic carcinoma. Cancer Causes Control 4:375–382

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Mills PK, Beeson WL, Abbey DE, Fraser GE, Phillips RL (1988) Dietary habits and past medical history as related to fatal pancreas cancer risk among Adventists. Cancer 61:2578–2585

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Jain M, Howe GR, St Louis P, Miller AB (1991) Coffee and alcohol as determinants of risk of pancreas cancer: a case–control study from Toronto. Int J Cancer 47:384–389

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Mack TM, Yu MC, Hanisch R, Henderson BE (1986) Pancreas cancer and smoking, beverage consumption, and past medical history. J Natl Cancer Inst 76:49–60

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Tascilar M, van Rees BP, Sturm PD et al (2002) Pancreatic cancer after remote peptic ulcer surgery. J Clin Pathol 55:340–345

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Caygill CP, Hill MJ, Hall CN, Kirkham JS, Northfield TC (1987) Increased risk of cancer at multiple sites after gastric surgery for peptic ulcer. Gut 28:924–928

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Inokuchi K, Tokudome S, Ikeda M et al (1984) Mortality from carcinoma after partial gastrectomy. Gann 75:588–594

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Risch HA (2003) Etiology of pancreatic cancer, with a hypothesis concerning the role of N-nitroso compounds and excess gastric acidity. J Natl Cancer Inst 95:948–960

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Karlson BM, Ekbom A, Wacholder S, McLaughlin JK, Hsing AW (2000) Cancer of the upper gastrointestinal tract among patients with pernicious anemia: a case–cohort study. Scand J Gastroenterol 35:847–851

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Hsing AW, Hansson LE, McLaughlin JK et al (1993) Pernicious anemia and subsequent cancer. A population-based cohort study. Cancer 71:745–750

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Smith JP, Shih A, Wu Y, McLaughlin PJ, Zagon IS (1996) Gastrin regulates growth of human pancreatic cancer in a tonic and autocrine fashion. Am J Physiol 270:R1078–R1084

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Smith JP, Fantaskey AP, Liu G, Zagon IS (1995) Identification of gastrin as a growth peptide in human pancreatic cancer. Am J Physiol 268:R135–R141

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Goldman MB, Monson RR, Maloof F (1990) Cancer mortality in women with thyroid disease. Cancer Res 50:2283–2289

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Goldman MB, Maloof F, Monson RR, Aschengrau A, Cooper DS, Ridgway EC (1988) Radioactive iodine therapy and breast cancer. A follow-up study of hyperthyroid women. Am J Epidemiol 127:969–980

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Goldstein AM, Fraser MC, Struewing JP et al (1995) Increased risk of pancreatic cancer in melanoma-prone kindreds with p16INK4 mutations. N Engl J Med 333:970–974

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Lynch HT, Deters CA, Lynch JF, Brand RE (2004) Familial pancreatic carcinoma in Jews. Fam Cancer 3:233–240

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Lynch HT, Fusaro RM (1991) Pancreatic cancer and the familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome. Pancreas 6:127–131

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Lynch HT, Voorhees GJ, Lanspa SJ, McGreevy PS, Lynch JF (1985) Pancreatic carcinoma and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer: a family study. Br J Cancer 52:271–273

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Vasen HF, Gruis NA, Frants RR, van Der Velden PA, Hille ET, Bergman W (2000) Risk of developing pancreatic cancer in families with familial atypical multiple mole melanoma associated with a specific 19 deletion of p16 (p16-Leiden). Int J Cancer 87:809–811

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Lynch HT, Brand RE, Deters CA, Shaw TG, Lynch JF (2001) Hereditary pancreatic cancer. Pancreatology 1: 466–471

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Grant support: National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute grants CA59706, CA108370, CA109767, CA121846, the Rombauer Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund and David J. Hasbun Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Andrew H. Ko

  2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Division of Cancer Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Suite 280, San Francisco, CA, 94118-1944, USA

    Furong Wang & Elizabeth A. Holly

  3. Department of Health Research and Policy, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA

    Elizabeth A. Holly

Authors
  1. Andrew H. Ko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Furong Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Elizabeth A. Holly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elizabeth A. Holly.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ko, A.H., Wang, F. & Holly, E.A. Pancreatic cancer and medical history in a population-based case–control study in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. Cancer Causes Control 18, 809–819 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-007-9024-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-007-9024-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation