Stage 2 pancreatic cancer
The stage of a cancer tells the doctor about its size and whether it has spread. It helps your doctors decide on which treatment you need.
Your doctor may not be able to tell you the exact stage of your cancer until after your surgery, if you are able to have it.
Stage 2 is part of the number staging system. There are 4 stages of pancreatic cancer numbered 1 to 4.
Doctors can also use the TNM system to stage your cancer. TNM stands for Tumour, Node, Metastases.
Stage 2 pancreatic cancer is split into 2A and 2B.
Stage 2A
Stage 2A means the cancer is bigger than 4cm but is still within the pancreas. It has not spread to the 
or other areas of the body.
In TNM staging, this is the same as T3, N0, M0.
Stage 2B
Stage 2B means the cancer is any size within the pancreas and has spread to no more than 3 nearby lymph nodes. It has not spread anywhere else in the body.
In TNM staging, this is the same as T1, 2 or 3, N1, M0.
Treatment for stage 2 pancreatic cancer
The stage of your cancer helps your doctor to decide which treatment you need. Treatment also depends on:
- your type of cancer (the type of cells the cancer started in)
- where the cancer is
- if they can remove (resect) the cancer
- other health conditions that you have
The stage of the cancer and these other factors can also give an idea of your outlook (prognosis).
For stage 2 pancreatic cancer, you generally have surgery and chemotherapy.
