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.
There are 4 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 3 can mean that the cancer is any size within the pancreas and has spread to 4 or more nearby .
In TNM staging, this is the same as T1, 2 or 3, N2, M0.
Or stage 3 can mean the cancer has started to grow outside the pancreas into the major blood vessels nearby. It may or may not have spread into the lymph nodes. It hasn't spread to any other areas of the body.
In TNM staging, this is the same as T4, Any N, M0.
Stage 3 cancer may also be called locally advanced cancer.
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).
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are generally the main treatments for stage 3 pancreatic cancer.
Most people start with a course of chemotherapy.
A few people go on to have surgery to remove the cancer. After surgery you usually have more chemotherapy. This usually starts once you have recovered enough from the operation.
If you can’t have surgery, you may have a short course of radiotherapy after chemotherapy. This is called or SABR. Or you may have a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
If you’re not well enough to have surgery or chemotherapy you may have radiotherapy.
If you are not able to have an operation to remove the cancer you may have other types of surgery or a procedure. This is to help control or prevent symptoms. For example, you may have a small tube (stent) put in to the to help clear a blockage and prevent symptoms such as .
A small number of people may have a or .
You may have treatment as part of a .
Find out about the treatment you might have
This page is due for review. We will update this as soon as possible.
Last reviewed: 31 Mar 2023
Next review due: 31 Mar 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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