Guide To Understanding Pancreatic Cancer Stages

Stage 1

Stage 1 pancreatic cancer describes pancreatic cancer that has not exceeded four centimeters in size. Stage 1 is further grouped into stage 1A and stage 1B. When a pancreatic tumor is limited to the inside of the pancreas and measures less than two centimeters or four-fifths of an inch, it is referred to as stage 1A pancreatic cancer. Stage 1A can also be abbreviated by a stage grouping of T1, N0, and M0.

When pancreatic cancer is confined to the inside of the pancreas and measures between two and four centimeters or one and three-fifths inches, it is referred to as stage 1B pancreatic cancer. Stage 1B has a stage grouping of T2, N0, and M0. Both the N and M stage grouping remain at 0 in individuals with pancreatic cancer stages 1A and 1B. This is because the malignancy has not moved into neighboring lymph nodes or any other tissue outside the pancreas.