What Are the Different Pancreatic Cancer Stages?
Several different staging systems are used for pancreatic cancer. Because pancreatic cancer stages can vary depending on the system a pathologist is using, it’s important to talk about the implications of pathology findings with a doctor. The treatment plan is dependent on the stage of the cancer, and patients need to know what each of the pancreatic cancer stages actually means. Cancer staging is a technique which is used to sort cancers to describe them in a uniform way. The staging is done by taking biopsy samples and medical imaging studies of the patient to determine what type of tumor is involved, how large the tumor is, and whether or not it has spread. In the case of pancreatic cancer, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery can all be used in treatment, and the best treatment approach will vary, depending on the stage.
