Association of Smoking with progression from low-risk to high-risk intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms and pancreatic cancer

Background: Factors associated with the risk of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) may play a role in the development and progression of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms (IPMNs). However, data are limited. Aim: To compare exposome factors in three groups of patients with “high or low-risk” IPMNs, as assessed at diagnosis and during a 24-months follow-up, and with PDAC. Methods: Patients were matched (same sex, age ±5) 1:1. Exposure variables were compared across groups using Kruskal-Wallis, ANOVA, or Chi-square tests with Bonferroni correction. Results: A total of 151 patients were enrolled in each of the three groups (453 overall). The proportion of current smokers was progressively higher in “low-risk”, “high-risk” IPMNs and PDAC patients (8.1 %, 11.2 %, 23.3 %; p = 0.0002). The three groups did not differ in terms of ever or heavy smoking, BMI, history of diabetes, cancer, cholecystectomy or chronic pancreatitis, use of statins or aspirin, and family history of cancer. A history of peptic ulcer was more common in PDAC (7.2 %) than in either “low-risk” (2.0 %) or “high-risk” (2.6%) IPMNs (p = 0.02, not significant after Bonferroni correction). Conclusion: Active smoking seems associated with the progression of IPMNs to malignancy, and cessation of active smoking might be advised in patients with IPMN.