Pancreatic cancer

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Stages

After confirming a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, your healthcare team works to find how much cancer is in the body and how far it has spread. This is called the stage of the cancer.

To find the stage of pancreatic cancer, the healthcare team typically uses imaging tests such as CT or MRI scans. Endoscopic ultrasound, biopsy results and other test results may provide more information.

The staging system below is used for exocrine pancreatic cancers, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Health professionals use a different staging system for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. For exocrine pancreatic cancer, stage is based on the tumor's size and whether it involves nearby major blood vessels, as well as whether cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body. This is called the TNM system. T stands for tumor, N for lymph nodes and M for cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

The stages of exocrine pancreatic cancer include:

  • Stage 0. Cancer cells are found only in the lining of a pancreatic duct. They have not grown into deeper pancreatic tissue or spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Stage 0 also is called carcinoma in situ.
  • Stage 1. The cancer has grown into the tissue of the pancreas and is no larger than 1.5 inches (4 cm). It has not spread to lymph nodes or other organs.
  • Stage 2. The cancer may be larger than 1.5 inches (4 cm) or it may have spread to some nearby lymph nodes. It has not spread to other organs.
  • Stage 3. Cancer has spread to four or more nearby lymph nodes. Or the cancer has grown into major blood vessels near the pancreas. It has not spread to other organs.
  • Stage 4. Cancer has spread to parts of the body farther away from the pancreas. Common places include the liver, the lungs and the lining of the abdomen, also called the peritoneum.

Earlier stages mean the cancer is smaller and more limited. Later stages mean it has spread farther, such as to lymph nodes, major blood vessels or distant organs. Knowing the stage helps the healthcare team plan treatment.

Surgery may be an option if the cancer can be removed safely. This depends in part on whether the cancer involves nearby blood vessels or has spread to distant organs. Cancer that has spread to distant organs isn't treated with surgery to remove the pancreas.

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Sept. 17, 2026

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