Stages, types and grades of pancreatic cancer
The stage of a cancer tells the doctor about its size and whether it has spread. The tests and scans you have when diagnosing your cancer give some information about the stage.
Doctors can use a number system (stages 1 to 4) or the TNM system to stage your cancer. TNM stands for Tumour, Node, Metastases.
The information here is about stage 4 pancreatic cancer from the number staging system.
Stage 4 means that the cancer has spread to other areas of the body, such as the liver or lungs.
Your doctor might call this advanced (metastatic) cancer.
In TNM staging, this is the same as Any T, Any N, M1.
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
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 4 pancreatic cancer, the aim of treatment is to help control or prevent symptoms. Unfortunately, treatment won’t cure this stage of cancer. But it might help you live longer and relieve symptoms.
Generally, the main treatment is chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The treatment you have depends on how well you are.
A small number of people may have a or drug.
Other treatments may include:
surgery or a procedure to prevent or relieve symptoms. For example, you may have a small tube (stent) put into the to help clear a blockage and prevent symptoms such as
medicines to help with pain control or other symptoms such as sickness
enzyme replacement therapy to help digest fats and protein if the pancreas is not working properly
blood sugar control – you may have if your pancreas isn’t working properly
You might have treatment as part of a .
Find out about the treatment for pancreatic cancer
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.
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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