Patients with pancreatic cancer were 6 times more likely to have had gallstones, inflammation of the gallbladder, cholecystectomy, and other gallbladder disease in the year prior to diagnosis, according to an abstract presented in a media briefing preceding Digestive Disease Week.

The study aimed to compare the incidence of gallstone disease in the year prior to diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) as compared to the annual incidence in the general population, and to evaluate the association of gallstone disease with state at diagnosis and surgical intervention. A total of 18,700 patients with pancreatic cancer and a noncancer cohort of 99,287 patients per year, obtained from the SEER-Medicare database, were included.

The incidence of gallstone disease in patients with pancreatic cancer was 4.7%, compared to 0.8% per year in the noncancer cohort. The incident of cholecystectomy among patients with pancreatic cancer was 1.6%, compared to 0.3% per year in the noncancer cohort. Among the patients with pancreatic cancer, those with prior gallstone disease were more likely to be diagnosed with Stage I-II disease and have undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy, compared to those without gallstone disease.

However, Marianna Papageorge, MD, research fellow at Boston Medical Center and lead researcher of the study, pointed out that just the presence of gallstone disease without other risk factors does not indicate the potential for pancreatic cancer. Dr Papageorge stated, “Gallstones do not lead to pancreatic cancer … This type of data 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’ve had their gallbladder removed. That continuation of care will help lead to earlier diagnosis.”

—Allison Casey

Reference:
Sachs T. Gallstone disease in the year prior to pancreatic cancer diagnosis: An opportunity for actions. Abstract presented at: DDW Media Briefing; May 12, 2022; Virtual.

Gallstone disease shown to be strong predictor of pancreatic cancer. Meeting News. DDW/AASLD. May 16, 2022.