Stages, types and grades of pancreatic cancer
The stage of a cancer tells the doctor about its size and whether it has spread. It helps your doctors decide on which treatment you need.
Your doctor may not be able to tell you the exact stage of your cancer until after your surgery, if you are able to have it.
There are 4 number stages of pancreatic cancer numbered 1 to 4. Doctors can also use the TNM system to stage your cancer. TNM stands for Tumour, Node, Metastases.
Stage 2A means the cancer is bigger than 4cm but is still within the pancreas. It has not spread to the or other areas of the body.
In TNM staging, this is the same as T3, N0, M0.
Stage 2B means the cancer is any size within the pancreas and has spread to no more than 3 nearby lymph nodes. It has not spread anywhere else in the body.
In TNM staging, this is the same as T1, 2 or 3, N1, M0.
The stage of your cancer helps your doctor to decide which treatment you need. Treatment also depends on:
your type of cancer (the type of cells the cancer started in)
where the cancer is
if they can remove (resect) the cancer
other health conditions that you have
The stage of the cancer and these other factors can also give an idea of your outlook (prognosis).
For stage 2 pancreatic cancer, you generally have surgery and chemotherapy.
Find out what treatment you might have
This page is due for review. We will update this as soon as possible.
Last reviewed: 01 Feb 2023
Next review due: 01 Feb 2026
Stage means the size of the cancer and whether it has spread. Type means the type of cell it started from. Grade means how abnormal the cells look. Knowing this information helps doctors decide about treatment.
Your treatment depends on the position of the cancer in the pancreas, how big it is, the type of pancreatic cancer it is, whether it has spread, if they can remove it with surgery and your general health.
Pancreatic cancer can start in the head, body or tail of the pancreas. There are different types of cells in the pancreas. Find out more about the different types.
Most people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after they become unwell and go to A&E. Others start by seeing their GP. Find out what to expect when you see a GP and tests you might have.
Survival depends on many factors including the stage and type of your cancer. These figures for pancreatic cancer survival can only be used as a general guide.
Pancreatic cancer is cancer that starts in the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland that produces digestive juices and hormones. Find out about symptoms, tests you might have to diagnose it, treatment and about living with it.
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