Is Pancreatic Cancer Hereditary?

By Eleanor Griffith, MS, CGC · Jun 2018

Sometimes yes — sometimes no. A study published in JAMA found that just over 5% of patients with pancreatic cancer carried hereditary mutations. In patients with pancreatic cancer who also had a family history of the disease, nearly 8% were found to carry hereditary mutations.

Which Genes Are Associated with Pancreatic Cancer Risk?

BRCA2 (about 2% of patients in this study), ATM (just over 2%), MLH1 — a Lynch syndrome gene (less than 1%), and CDKN2A (less than 1%, also associated with high melanoma risk). BRCA1 mutations were found in less than 1% of patients.

Why Does Genetic Testing Related to Pancreatic Cancer Matter?

All six genes implicated in this study are also associated with increased risks for other cancers for which well-established risk reduction strategies exist. Identifying a hereditary cancer mutation enables cascade testing — sorting out which family members are at high risk and need closer monitoring, and which are at average risk despite the family history. In some cases, these mutations can also be helpful therapeutic targets that a medical oncologist would discuss with you. Current NCCN Guidelines recommend consideration of genetic counseling and germline testing for all individuals with pancreatic cancer.