Data exists to indicate a definite association between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The strength of this association varies between various causes of pancreatitis, with hereditary and tropical pancreatitis more likely to result in malignancy. Pathogenesis may involve genetic factors, diabetes, smoking and alcohol consumption. Clinically a significant overlap exists between the two conditions, with histology difficult to obtain and interpret in this setting. Biomarkers like CA19-9 and others may be useful, as is a variety of newer imaging modalities. Treatment needs to be individualised as surgery offers the only chance of cure, albeit in but a few.

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Pancreatic cancer in chronic pancreatitis.

https://www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565(10)01028-1/pdf

Alcohol and Smoking as Risk Factors in an Epidemiology Study of Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis

Epidemiological studies have been published worldwide in recent decades describing the incidence, mortality, aetiology and trends of chronic pancreatitis. Accumulated evidence suggests that chronic pancreatitis is increasing in incidence and hospital admission rates are rising accordingly. Alcoholic chronic pancreatitis was previously more common in the developed world than elsewhere, but is now increasing worldwide due to growing per capita alcohol consumption in each nation. Supporting alcohol and smoking cessation in individual patients is essential to slow disease progression and improve overall health, as most patients will die of cirrhosis, cardiovascular disease or smoking related cancers rather than chronic pancreatitis. The socioeconomic impact of chronic pancreatitis is difficult to quantify as little data exists, however given the rising incidence the costs to health care and society are likely to increase. This chapter will describe the epidemiology and aetiology of chronic pancreatitis worldwide and discusses the factors that influence its socioeconomic impact.

The epidemiology and socioeconomic impact of chronic pancreatitis

Large pancreatic ductal calculi and pain are a feature of chronic calcific pancreatitis (CCP) in the tropics. This large single center study evaluates the role of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in fragmentation of large pancreatic stones and relief of pain in patients with CCP. Patients with CCP presenting with pain and large pancreatic duct (PD) calculi (>5 mm diameter) not amenable to extraction at routine endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography (ERCP) were taken up for ESWL using a 3rd generation lithotripter. Stones in the head and body of pancreas were targeted at ESWL; 5,000 shocks were given per session. The calculi were fragmented to <3 mm size and then cleared by endotherapy. Pancreatic duct stents were deployed when indicated. A total of 1,006 patients underwent ESWL. Complete clearance was achieved in 762 (76%), partial clearance in 173 (17%) and unsuccessful in the rest. More than 962 (90%) of patients needed less than three sessions of ESWL. At 6 months, 711 (84%) of 846 patients who returned for follow up had significant relief of pain with a decrease in analgesic use. Complications were mild and minimal. ESWL is an effective and safe modality for fragmentation of large PD calculi in patients with CCP.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and endotherapy for pancreatic calculi-a large single center experience.

Objective To study the genetic predisposition, phenotype and prognosis of idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (CP). Design Prospective observational and case–control study. Setting Tertiary care academic centre. Patients Consecutive patients with CP. Interventions Detailed mutational analysis was done for the cationic trypsinogen, SPINK1 and CFTR genes with single-strand conformational polymorphism or restricted fragment length polymorphism, and sequencing. Clinical and disease characteristics of idiopathic versus alcoholic CP, and early onset versus late onset idiopathic CP were compared. Response to multimodality treatment (medical, endoscopic and/or surgical) and prognosis were analysed. Main outcome measures Genetic mutations, phenotypic characterisation and prognosis of idiopathic CP. Results Of the 411 patients with CP, 242 had idiopathic aetiology (age 27.50±11.85 years; 154 men). Malnutrition and cassava were not risk factors. SPINK1 N34S mutation was present in 42% of patients with idiopathic CP (vs 4% controls, p CFTR gene, nine patients with idiopathic CP had mutations and 41 patients had polymorphisms (50% vs 10% controls, p Conclusion Strong genetic susceptibility due to SPINK1 and CFTR gene mutations, and comparative phenotype of idiopathic CP in India suggest that the term ‘tropical calcific pancreatitis’ is a misnomer.

https://gut.bmj.com/content/gutjnl/59/6/800.full.pdf

Idiopathic chronic pancreatitis in India: phenotypic characterisation and strong genetic susceptibility due to SPINK1 and CFTR gene mutations

Context Chronic pancreatitis is common in India. However, its risk factors are not clear. There is sparse data on the current prevalence of tropical pancreatitis in India. Objective To undertake a prospective nationwide study of the risk factors and clinical profile of chronic pancreatitis.

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Vigna Venugopal Raj

Papers

Chronic pancreatitis. A prospective nationwide study of 1,086 subjects from India.