To date, a significant number of Smad4 point mutations have been found only in pancreatic carcinomas (50–60%), biliary tract carcinomas (15%) or colorectal carcinomas (5–20%) (Hahn et al, 1996; Schutte et al, 1996; MacGrogan et al, 1997). Here, SMAD4 is linked to exocrine pancreatic carcinoma.