Pancreatic Cancer In 2012 there were 43,920 cases of pancreatic cancer. 10% of these cases have a family clustering of pancreatic cancers and associated malignancies. We have identified a specific gene in 2% of pancreatic cases.

BRCA2 families have a 3.5 to 7 fold increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Certain populations have a higher risk; as an example in Ashkenazi Jews 14.2% of pancreatic cancer patients were BRCA2 positive. Patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome have a 132 fold increased risk. Familial Adenomatous Polyposis syndrome (FAP) patients have a 4.5 fold increased risk.

Some patients with Lynch syndrome have a 9 fold increased risk. FAMMM (familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome) patients face a 13 to 22 fold increased risk. PALB2, a gene associated with breast and pancreatic cancer when mutated, poses an increased risk, but because we are early in the history of this gene the exact risk is yet to be determined. People with hereditary pancreatitis also have an increased risk.

For more information on Pancreatic cancer in families or families with multiple malignancies contact the genetics clinic for a consultation.