Trends of pancreatic cancer in Maryland: 1999 -2008

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancers (PCa) are among the most serious late-presenting cancers. Maryland PCa statistics are not reported in the peer-reviewed literature. OBJECTIVES: To assess 1999-2008 PCa incidence and mortality rate trends in Maryland and Baltimore-Towson area (MSA) and compare with national rates. METHODS: We compared PCa incidence and mortality rates, time trends and disparities across gender and racial-ethnic groups using United States Cancer Statistics and Maryland Cancer Registry data (CDC Wonder). Differences between rates and time trends were tested employing a Z-statistic, linear regression and Mann-Kendall's tau. RESULTS: In Maryland, cumulative age adjusted rates [2008, per 100,000 (95% CI)] were as follows: Incidence: [Overall 11.9 (11.0-12.8)]; [Men 12.7 (11.3-14.2)]; [Women 11.2 (10.1-12.4)]; [Whites 11.5 (10.5-13.8)]; [African-Americans 14.4 (12.3-17.9)]. Trend for increasing incidence over study period was statistically significant (p=0.014). Mortality (trend p=0.182 for Maryland): [Overall 11.5 (10.6-12.4)]; [Men 12.6 (11.2-14.2)]; [Women 10.7 (9.6-11.8)]; [Whites 10.8 (9.8-13.1)]; [African-Americans 15.2 (13.0-18.8)]. In the U.S., overall cumulative age adjusted rates for year 2008 were as follows: Incidence: [Overall 11.8 (11.7-11.9)]; and Mortality: [Overall: 10.9 (10.8-11.0)]. Annual incidence and mortality rates in Maryland and MSA were higher than US rates. Annual percent changes in the MSA were inconsistent. MSA-PCa incidence and mortality rates were higher than Maryland and US. Trend for increasing incidence over study period was statistically significant for the US, Maryland and MSA (p<0.0000; =0.014; =0.008 respectively). CONCLUSION: Maryland and MSA PCa incidence and mortality rates are higher national rates. Significant gender-based disparities in incidence/ mortality are evident.