Key Points for This Section

Tests and procedures to stage pancreatic cancer are usually done at the same time as diagnosis. The following stages are used for pancreatic cancer: Stage 0 (Carcinoma in Situ) Stage I Stage II Stage III Stage IV

Tests and procedures to stage pancreatic cancer are usually done at the same time as diagnosis.

The following stages are used for pancreatic cancer:

Stage 0 (Carcinoma in Situ)

In stage 0, abnormal cells are found in the lining of the pancreas. These abnormal cells may become cancer and spread into nearby normal tissue. Stage 0 is also called carcinoma in situ.

Enlarge

Pea, peanut, walnut, and lime show tumor sizes.

Stage I

In stage I, cancer has formed and is found in the pancreas only. Stage I is divided into stage IA and stage IB, based on the size of the tumor.

• Stage IA: The tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller.
• Stage IB: The tumor is larger than 2 centimeters.

Stage II

In stage II, cancer may have spread to nearby tissue and organs, and may have spread to lymph nodes near the pancreas. Stage II is divided into stage IIA and stage IIB, based on where the cancer has spread.

• Stage IIA: Cancer has spread to nearby tissue and organs but has not spread to nearby lymph nodes.
• Stage IIB: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes and may have spread to nearby tissue and organs.

Stage III

In stage III, cancer has spread to the major blood vessels near the pancreas and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Stage IV

In stage IV, cancer may be of any size and has spread to distant organs, such as the liver, lung, and peritoneal cavity. It may have also spread to organs and tissues near the pancreas or to lymph nodes.

Back to Top

< Previous Section  |  Next Section >