What does stage 2 to 3 pancreatic cancer mean?

Surgery: Stage ii or iii pancreatic cancer may or may not be surgically removed. If the malignant mass does not encircle a major blood vessel, surgery can be in most cases performed. If the lymph nodes are positive the cancer is stage iii. Treatment after surgery is likely gemcitabine chemotherapy. Sometimes physicians will use 5-FU and radiation. It is treatable in most cases.

Vascular involvement: The distinction between stage ii and iii hinges on the involvement of the arteries known as the celiac axis and the superior mesenteric artery. Specialist centers will treat a questionable stage iii as borderline resectable using chemo and radiation in an effort to get to resection. Seek help in a major center; this is an area where missteps occur.