The stages of pancreatic cancer are classified based on tumor size, whether it has spread to other organs, and other specific characteristics.
As the name suggests, pancreatic cancer originates in the pancreas, an organ located in the abdomen that releases enzymes involved in digestion and produces hormones that help regulate blood sugar.
This disease occurs when pancreatic cells begin to grow uncontrollably.
Types of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer comes in different types, depending on where it originates, and can be either exocrine or endocrine, with lymphoma or sarcoma occurring in a much smaller percentage of cases.
Exocrine tumors are the most common type of pancreatic cancer, typically developing in the pancreatic ducts and known as adenocarcinomas.
Endocrine tumors account for 7% of pancreatic cancer cases and may or may not produce hormones.
Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer by Stage
Like many other types of cancer, pancreatic cancer typically doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages, symptoms usually only appear once the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. These can include:
- Abdominal pain that radiates to the back.
- Loss of appetite.
- Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes.
- Pale-colored stools.
- Dark-colored urine.
- Unintentional weight loss.
- Itchy skin.
- New-onset diabetes, or difficulty controlling existing diabetes.
- Blood clots.
- Fatigue.
These symptoms aren’t exclusive to pancreatic cancer, so if you experience one or more of them, it’s recommended to see a doctor to determine the underlying cause.
If pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, using imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI, along with endoscopy or biopsy, the disease’s stage will need to be determined. This takes into account factors like tumor size, type, and whether it has spread to other organs, among other details.
Pancreatic Cancer Stage 0
At this stage, the tumor is confined to the top layer of cells lining the pancreatic duct, without invading deeper tissue or spreading to other areas of the body, such as nearby lymph nodes.
Pancreatic Cancer Stage 1
Stage I can be further divided into IA or IB. Here, cancer is confined to the pancreas and measures up to 4 cm across, with no spread to nearby lymph nodes or other areas.
Pancreatic Cancer Stage 2
Stage II, which also has subdivisions, applies when the tumor is confined to the pancreas but is larger than 4 cm, or when the tumor is smaller than that but has spread to up to three nearby lymph nodes.
Pancreatic Cancer Stage 3
Stage III pancreatic cancer is classified based on tumor size, not exceeding 4 cm, and whether it has spread to fewer than three or four or more nearby lymph nodes, without having spread to other organs.
Pancreatic Cancer Stage 4
Stage IV is the final stage of pancreatic cancer. At this stage, cancer has spread to distant sites, such as the liver, peritoneum, lungs, or bones. Tumor size can vary, and it may or may not have also spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Since there’s currently no way to prevent pancreatic cancer, it’s important to see a doctor if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above.
If you have a family history of the disease, it’s also recommended to have regular checkups with a doctor, who may be able to detect certain signs early. With pancreatic cancer, life expectancy depends largely on the stage at which the disease is diagnosed.
At ABC Medical Center’s Cancer Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Learn more about the stages of pancreatic cancer. Contact us!
