What is the most lethal type of cancer?

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Pancreatic cancer is consistently identified as one of the most deadly forms of cancer. It is expected to become the second deadliest cancer by 2040, with a 5-year overall survival rate of less than 10% (). Despite significant improvements in survival rates for other major cancer types, pancreatic cancer survival rates have remained relatively unchanged since the 1960s ().
Interestingly, while pancreatic cancer is often cited as the most lethal, other cancers also claim high mortality rates. Breast cancer, for instance, has the second-highest mortality rate of any cancer worldwide ((Mohammadpour-Haratbar et al., 2022)). Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is described as the most lethal and common malignant brain tumor, being the leading cause of death in adult brain tumors ().
In conclusion, pancreatic cancer stands out as one of the deadliest cancers due to its poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Its late detection, rapid progression, and resistance to conventional therapies contribute to its high mortality rate ( and ). The global impact of pancreatic cancer is significant, causing more than 331,000 deaths per year and ranking as the seventh leading cause of cancer death in both sexes (). Efforts to improve early detection, develop targeted therapies, and understand the molecular mechanisms of pancreatic cancer are crucial to addressing this deadly disease ().

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