Guide To Understanding Pancreatic Cancer Stages

Stage 4

Stage 4 pancreatic cancer is the most advanced and final stage in the cancer staging system. Pancreatic cancer is considered to be stage 4 when it has metastasized to distant organs and regions of the body. Stage 4 pancreatic cancer may or may not have spread to neighboring lymph nodes and can measure any size. The stage grouping that defines stage 4 pancreatic cancer is T1-T4, N0-N2, and M1. The most common sites of pancreatic cancer metastasis are the lungs, bowel, spleen, stomach, bones, liver, abdominal cavity lining. Over half of all individuals who develop pancreatic cancer receive a stage 4 diagnosis. It is estimated between one and three individuals out of every one hundred will still be alive five years following a stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Considering that numerous individual factors influence survival, the median survival rate of stage 4 pancreatic cancer is between three and six months following diagnosis. There is no way to cure stage 4 pancreatic cancer, but some treatments may improve life expectancy and quality.