History of Pancreatic cancer in Timeline

Pancreatic cancer encompasses various cancers originating in the pancreas, a gland behind the stomach. It occurs when pancreatic cells proliferate uncontrollably, forming a mass. These cancerous cells can invade and spread to other areas of the body. Several types of pancreatic cancer exist.

1907: Experimental procedures on corpses

In 1907-1908, after some more unsuccessful operations by other surgeons, experimental procedures were tried on corpses by French surgeons.

1908: Experimental procedures on corpses

In 1907-1908, after some more unsuccessful operations by other surgeons, experimental procedures were tried on corpses by French surgeons.

1912: First en bloc removal of duodenum and pancreas

In 1912, German surgeon Walther Kausch performed the first en bloc removal of large parts of the duodenum and pancreas in Breslau.

1918: Survival after complete duodenal removal in dogs

In 1918, operations on dogs demonstrated that survival is possible even after complete removal of the duodenum.

1927: First case of hyperinsulinism due to a PanNET

In 1927, the first case of hyperinsulinism due to a tumor of the islet cells (PanNET) was reported.

1935: Whipple publishes results of pancreaticoduodenectomies

In 1935, the American surgeon Allen Oldfather Whipple published the results of a series of three operations at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York, showing that it is possible to survive even after complete removal of the duodenum.

1940: First total removal of the duodenum by Whipple

In 1940, Whipple published several refinements to his procedure, including the first total removal of the duodenum.

1941: Start of operations series at Massachusetts General Hospital

Another series of 2,050 operations at the Massachusetts General Hospital between 1941 and 2011 showed a similar picture of improvement in pancreaticoduodenectomies.

1955: Recognition of non-insulin-secreting PanNET

In 1955, American surgeons R. M. Zollinger and E. H. Ellison are credited with recognizing a non-insulin-secreting type of PanNET. They described Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, after postulating the existence of a gastrin-secreting pancreatic tumor.

1969: Start of Pancreatico-duodenectomies series at Johns Hopkins Hospital

In 2006, a report was published on a series of 1,000 consecutive pancreatico-duodenectomies performed by a single surgeon from Johns Hopkins Hospital between 1969 and 2003, with only three of them before 1980.

1975: Five-year survival rate in the US

In cases diagnosed in 1975-1977, the overall five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer in the US was 2%.

1977: Five-year survival rate in the US

In cases diagnosed in 1975-1977, the overall five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer in the US was 2%.

1980: Increase in rate of operations

In 2006, a report was published on a series of 1,000 consecutive pancreatico-duodenectomies performed by a single surgeon from Johns Hopkins Hospital between 1969 and 2003. Only three operations were performed before 1980, after which the rate increased steadily.

1982: First description of IPMN

In 1982, the intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) was first described by Japanese researchers.

1987: Five-year survival rate in the US

In cases diagnosed in 1987-1989, the overall five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer in the US was 4%.

1989: Five-year survival rate in the US

In cases diagnosed in 1987-1989, the overall five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer in the US was 4%.

1997: FDA approval of Gemcitabine

In 1997, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Gemcitabine after clinical trials showed improvements in quality of life and a five-week improvement in median survival duration for individuals with advanced pancreatic cancer.

2003: End of Pancreatico-duodenectomies series at Johns Hopkins Hospital

In 2006, a report was published on a series of 1,000 consecutive pancreatico-duodenectomies performed by a single surgeon from Johns Hopkins Hospital between 1969 and 2003, showing a reduction in median operating time from 8.8 hours in the 1970s to 5.5 hours in the 2000s, and a 1% mortality rate.

2003: Five-year survival rate in the US

In cases diagnosed in 2003-2009, the overall five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer in the US was 6%.

2005: FDA licenses Erlotinib for pancreatic cancer

In 2005, Erlotinib was licensed by the FDA for use in pancreatic cancer, after it was found that the combination of gemcitabine with erlotinib modestly increased survival.

2006: Report on pancreatico-duodenectomies at Johns Hopkins

2009: Five-year survival rate in the US

In cases diagnosed in 2003-2009, the overall five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer in the US was 6%.

2010: WHO Classification of PanNETs

In 2010, the WHO classification of tumors of the digestive system graded all pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) into three categories based on cellular differentiation. The U.S. National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommended using the same AJCC-UICC staging system as pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

2010: WHO recommendation for PanNET terminology

In 2010, the WHO recommended that pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) be referred to as "neuroendocrine" rather than "endocrine" tumors.

2010: Recognition of intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm

In 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm as a distinct type of pancreatic cancer, constituting about 1–3% of all pancreatic neoplasms. The mean age at diagnosis is 61 years, with about 50% of these lesions becoming invasive.

2010: Increased recognition of IPMN

It was noted in 2010, that after the first description in 1982, little attention was paid to the intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) for a decade. However, over the subsequent 15 years, there has been a virtual explosion in the recognition of this tumor.

2011: End of operations series at Massachusetts General Hospital

Another series of 2,050 operations at the Massachusetts General Hospital between 1941 and 2011 showed a similar picture of improvement in pancreaticoduodenectomies.

2012: Pancreatic cancer in the developed world

In 2012, approximately 70% of new pancreatic cancer cases originated in the developed world. The prognosis for pancreatic adenocarcinoma is generally poor, with a 9% five-year survival rate globally and 13% in the US.

2013: Pancreatic cancer deaths worldwide

In 2013, pancreatic cancers of all types resulted in 411,600 deaths globally. In 2021, this number rose to 508,532.

2013: Reduced Enthusiasm for Radiotherapy

In 2013, preliminary results of a trial "markedly reduced enthusiasm" for the use of radiotherapy on locally advanced pancreatic tumors, due to conflicting results from clinical trials.

2013: FDA licenses nab-paclitaxel

In 2013, protein-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) was licensed by the FDA for use with gemcitabine in pancreas cancer. By the end of 2013, either singular FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine in combination with nab-paclitaxel were considered good choices for those able to tolerate the side-effects.

2014: Review of diet and pancreatic cancer risk

A 2014 review concluded that consuming citrus fruits and curcumin showed evidence of reducing the risk of pancreatic cancer, while there was possibly a beneficial effect from whole grains, folate, selenium, and non-fried fish.

2014: Estimated pancreatic cancer cases in the US

In 2014, an estimated 46,000 people in the US were expected to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and 40,000 were expected to die from it.

2015: Global deaths from pancreatic cancer

In 2015, pancreatic cancers of all types resulted in 411,600 deaths globally.

2019: Meta-analysis on aspirin and pancreatic cancer

A 2019 meta-analysis found that aspirin use might be negatively associated with the incidence risk of pancreatic cancer but found no significant relationship with pancreatic cancer mortality.

2019: Screening in the general population

As of 2019, screening of large groups of the general population for pancreatic cancer is not considered effective and may be harmful. However, regular screening with endoscopic ultrasound and MRI/CT imaging is recommended for those at high risk due to inherited genetics.

2019: Start of mRNA vaccine clinical trial

Between 2019 and 2021, a clinical trial began, involving 16 patients with resectable pancreatic cancer who underwent tumor removal surgery. Researchers then used genetic material from each patient's tumor to create customized mRNA vaccines, designed to help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. The study reports its findings in 2025.

2021: Completion of tumor removal surgery for mRNA vaccine clinical trial

Between 2019 and 2021, participants in a clinical trial of personalized mRNA vaccines for pancreatic cancer underwent tumor removal surgery. Researchers then used genetic material from each patient's tumor to create customized mRNA vaccines, designed to help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. The study reports its findings in 2025.

2021: Pancreatic cancer deaths worldwide

In 2021, pancreatic cancers of all types resulted in 508,532 deaths globally, which is an increase from 411,600 in 2013.

2023: Meta-analysis of chemotherapy regimens

A 2023 meta-analysis found that the FOLFIRINOX regimen provided better overall survival than gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel but increased the risk of serious adverse events. The analysis of 51 studies encompassing 11,333 persons showed that FOLFIRINOX offered the best outcome for pancreatic cancer improving overall survival.

2025: Promising results for personalized mRNA vaccines

A 2025 study reported promising results from a phase 1 clinical trial of personalized mRNA vaccines as a potential treatment for pancreatic cancer. The trial, which involved 16 patients with resectable pancreatic cancer, found that eight participants developed T cells targeting their tumors, indicating an immune response to the vaccine.

Mentioned in this timeline

The United States of America is a federal republic of...

Cancer encompasses over diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth leading...

The World Health Organization WHO is a specialized agency of...

Massachusetts officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state located...

mRNA vaccines utilize messenger RNA to trigger an immune response...

Time is the continuous irreversible progression of existence from past...