Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the world.  Most patients will only survive three to six months after they been diagnosed with it.  Even worse, only 5% of patients with pancreatic cancer will live five years after the diagnosis has been made.   

With the mortality rate close to 99%, it is the highest mortality rate of all cancers, as well as being the fourth highest cancer killer in the United States.  In this article, we will discuss the pancreatic cancer stages that take place after pancreatic cancer has developed. 

Pancreatic cancer stages are used to determine how far along the cancer has spread.  These are helpful to the doctor, because it is a guide on what treatment should be administered, depending upon the stage of cancer.   There are 4 pancreatic cancer stages. 

The first stage is the earliest stage of pancreatic cancer.  Here, the cancer is only inside the pancreas, and has not spread.  Typically, most diagnosis of pancreatic cancer are not found in stage one, because the symptoms of pancreatic cancer are hard to identify.   

The second of the pancreatic cancer stages occurs when the cancer has started to grow into the tissues surrounding the pancreas.  Cancer has not yet spread to the lymph nodes, though.  This means there is a chance that the cancer may not spread into the lymph system or through the blood.   

In stage three, the cancer is identified as having spread to nearby lymph nodes.  This indicates that it is potentially also spread to other parts of the body, and other organs, through the lymph system. 

The fourth pancreatic cancer stage is divided into two subcategories -- A and B. stage A occurs when the cancer has spread into organs such as the spleen and stomach, or into large blood vessels nearby the pancreas. Stage B is when the cancer has spread into the liver and lungs. This is considered advanced pancreatic cancer. Treatment of pancreatic cancer will depend upon the stage of the cancer. 

In some instances, surgical removal of the tumor is possible, due to recent technological advancements.  The most common kind of treatment for cancer is called the Whipple procedure.  

In conclusion, I have discussed with you the four different pancreatic cancer stages. These are a must to know, so the doctor can take the appropriate measures, and so you can prepare yourself accordingly.

Pancreatic Cancer |