Pancreatic cancer: A look at its mortality rate during the period 2019-2022 in Chile.

Abstract

Introduction: Pancreatic cancer is a malignant neoplasm originating in exocrine cells of the pancreas, the treatment of which involves surgical interventions. Objective: To analyze the mortality rate due to pancreatic cancer in Chile between 2019-2022. Methodology: Cross-sectional descriptive study, data from the Department of Health Statistics and Information. Deaths due to pancreatic cancer in Chile between 2019-2022 were analyzed according to sex and age group (n=6.098). The mortality rate was calculated. No ethics committee was required. Results: The mortality rate for the period was 11,91/100.000 inhabitants. The years with the highest rate were 2022 with 12,71/100.000 inhabitants and 2020 with 11,93/100.000 inhabitants. The female sex had the highest mortality rate with 12,50/100.000 inhabitants. The age group with the highest rate was 80 years and older, with 90,50, and the lowest was the 20-44 age group with 0,33/100.000 inhabitants. Discussion: The study revealed an increase in the mortality rate from pancreatic cancer in 2020. This could be due to delayed diagnosis and oncological surgeries during the pandemic (COVID-19). Early surgery is essential for a good prognosis. In 2021, the mortality rate decreased due to the resumption of surgical procedures. The female sex presented the highest rate, which disagrees with what has been established in the literature. This could be due to a greater predisposition of these women to risk factors related to pancreatic cancer in Chile. Conclusion: Epidemiological studies are essential to understand risk factors and increase survival of patients affected by pancreatic cancer.