Belgium records a steady rise in the number pancreatic cancer cases every year

Belgium is witnessing a steady rise in the number pancreatic cancer cases reported every year. Cases in the country have increased by between 25 to 60 percent compared to the pre-COVID19 levels.

The number of patients with a pancreatic tumour has gone up by 60 percent in Antwerp. According to recent figures, the number of patients per year increased to 60 in 2021 from 37 in 2019.

Similarly, Brussels recorded 32 cases in 2019 and 49 in 2021. Ghent recorded an increase of about 25 percent. “Every year, 90 to 100 pancreatic cancer patients are admitted to the university hospital in Gent for treatment.

But even before the corona pandemic, mortality from pancreatic cancer was already rising,” professor and pancreatic surgeon from the UZ Brussel, Nouredin Messaoudi