Young-Onset Pancreatobiliary Cancers—Whereto from Here?

Abstract

This Invited Editorial towards the Special Issue on Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery highlights the global problem of young-onset cancers. The paucity of data on young-onset pancreatobiliary cancers is presented in the context of its relevance to India (and its large component of adults in the at-risk age group for these cancers). In the face of limited information on the underlying cause of young-onset cancers, the author draws attention to evidence from colorectal cancer. The readers are encouraged to develop collaborative efforts in India to address answers to much needed questions on the management of young-onset pancreatobiliary cancers, some of which are listed in this Editorial.

Young-Onset Cancers—Early Steps in the Right Direction

“…If this is so, then why are we seeing a changing trend only amongst the young over the last few decades? The PELICan hypothesis [12,13] may help reconcile these differential effects of the same triggers (for carcinogenesis) on different individuals. Another study recently published in Nature [14] provides insight into the germline mutation rates in vertebrates, including humans.…”