As an expert in the field of oncology, I can provide you with detailed information on the stages of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is categorized into stages based on the size of the tumor, whether it has invaded nearby organs, and whether it has spread to lymph nodes or distant parts of the body.
The stages of pancreatic cancer are:
Stage 0: This is also known as carcinoma in situ. At this stage, abnormal cells are found only in the top layer of cells lining the pancreatic ducts. These cells have not invaded nearby tissues or spread to lymph nodes or distant sites.
Stage I: The cancer is larger and may have spread to nearby blood or lymph vessels, but it has not spread to distant parts of the body. Stage I is further divided into IA and IB, with IA being smaller and less advanced than IB.
Stage II: The cancer has spread to nearby tissues and organs, such as the bile duct, stomach, colon, or nearby blood vessels. However, it has not spread to lymph nodes or distant sites.
Stage III: The cancer has spread to the major blood vessels near the pancreas, such as the portal vein or the hepatic artery. It may also have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage IV: This is the most advanced stage of pancreatic cancer. The cancer has spread (metastasized) to distant parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs, or the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen).
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