Staging of pancreatic cancer

Knowing the extent of the cancer helps the doctors to decide on the most appropriate treatment.

Number stages Back to top

A commonly used staging system uses numbers to describe the stage of the cancer:

Stage 1

This is the earliest stage. The cancer can only be found inside the pancreas itself, although it may be quite large. There is no cancer in the lymph nodes close to the pancreas and no sign that it has spread to anywhere else in the body.

Stage 2

The cancer has started to grow into the duodenum, or the bile duct, or tissues surrounding the pancreas and/or there is cancer in lymph nodes near your pancreas. 

Stage 3

The cancer has spread into the stomach, spleen, large bowel or into large blood vessels near the pancreas. 

Stage 4

The cancer has spread to other body organs such as the liver or lungs.

Doctors often call stages 1 and 2 resectable or early-stage cancer. This means they may be able to operate to remove (resect) the tumour. Fewer than 20% of cancers of the pancreas are diagnosed at this stage.

Stage 3 cancer is often called locally-advanced (unresectable) cancer. About 35%–40% of cancers of the pancreas are diagnosed at this stage.

Stage 4 cancer is often called metastatic or advanced cancer. This means it has spread to other parts of your body. About 45%–55% of pancreatic cancers are diagnosed at this stage.

TNM staging system Back to top

Another staging system known as the TNM system is commonly used. This can give more precise information about the extent of the cancer.

• T describes the size of the tumour.
• N describes whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
• M describes whether the cancer has spread to another part of the body (secondary or metastatic cancer).