When cancer that first formed in the pancreas spreads to other parts of the body, doctors classify it as stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Show The pancreas is an organ that supports the digestive system and helps the body regulate blood sugar. Pancreatic cancer accounts for around 3% of cancers in the United States. Pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect early because the pancreas is located deep within the body. People usually have no symptoms until a tumor has become very large or the cancer has spread to other organs. According to research from 2015, about 53% of people with pancreatic cancer receive a diagnosis when the cancer is in stage 4. Doctors are not able to cure stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Treatment aims to prolong the person’s life, improve their quality of life, and manage their symptoms. Knowing what to expect can help people and their loved ones to cope. In this article, we describe the symptoms of pancreatic cancer and outline the treatment options when the cancer is in stage 4.
When diagnosing pancreatic cancer, the doctor aims to identify how much cancer is in the body and whether it has spread beyond the pancreas. This process, called staging, helps indicate how serious the cancer is and which treatments are best. The stages of pancreatic cancer are:
When cancer spreads to distant organs, this is known as metastasis. The cancerous cells are still pancreatic cells, even though they are growing on other organs. Pancreatic cancer can metastasize in many areas, including the:
Sometimes, doctors can only identify the stage of cancer by performing surgery. In determining a person’s outlook, healthcare providers consider the cancer’s stage and how abnormal the cancerous cells are. They also take into account the person’s overall health. When the cancer has spread to other organs, surgeons are not able to remove it or cure it. Treatments for stage 4 cancer involve managing pain and other symptoms to improve the quality of life. Pancreatic cancer can be difficult to detect early because it does not typically cause symptoms in its early stages. In a more advanced stage, the cancer may interrupt the functioning of the gall bladder, liver, and bile ducts. This can cause:
Other nonspecific symptoms can include:
While there is no cure for stage 4 pancreatic cancer, treatments can help a person manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Options include: ChemotherapyChemotherapy is usually the first-line treatment for stage 4 pancreatic cancer. It involves using targeted medications to kill cancer cells. The goal is to increase the person’s lifespan. A doctor administers chemotherapy, either as pills or intravenously. It can kill cancer cells in the pancreas and those that have spread to other organs. To treat stage 4 pancreatic cancer, doctors typically use gemcitabine (Gemzar), either alone or in combination with other medications. Chemoradiation therapyThe medical team may recommend a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, called chemoradiation, for stage 4 pancreatic cancer. However, chemoradiation generally only treats cancer that has spread to organs near the pancreas, not more distant organs, such as the lungs or liver. Radiation therapy can also help shrink tumors before or after surgery. Palliative surgeryWhile surgery cannot cure stage 4 pancreatic cancer, certain procedures can help relieve symptoms. Examples of these surgeries include: Bile duct stent or bypass Bile breaks down fats in the digestive system. A buildup of bile due to a blockage can lead to jaundice and a loss of appetite. When a tumor is blocking a bile duct, a surgeon may use a stent or bypass to help restore the flow of bile. A bypass involves the surgeon connecting the duct to the small intestine so that the bile can flow around the blockage. Alternately, the surgeon may insert a small tube, a stent, into the duct to keep it open and prevent a buildup of bile. They may eventually need to replace the stent if the tumor grows and blocks it. Gastric bypass surgery A tumor can prevent food from passing through the stomach and into the intestines. Doctors call this a gastric outlet obstruction. In response, a surgeon can often connect the stomach to the intestine in a different way, forming a bypass. MedicationsStage 4 cancerous tumors can cause pain and discomfort. A doctor may prescribe pain relief medications, such as opioid analgesics and other drugs that block signals to the nerves. To help the person cope with the emotional effects of having terminal cancer, the doctor may also recommend:
Emotional supportReceiving a diagnosis of stage 4 cancer can be distressing and overwhelming. It is normal to experience a range of emotions, such as anger, fear, and grief. Some people also experience anxiety, depression, and difficulty sleeping. Many people find that joining a support network of others with the same or similar experiences can help them manage day to day. People can also access support and advice from the National Cancer Institute and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Other forms of emotional support can also help. They might include:
Survival rates are estimates of how long a person may live after receiving a certain cancer diagnosis. All survival rates are estimates — a person’s outlook really depends on factors unique to them. According to the American Cancer Society, when pancreatic cancer has spread to distant organs, the 5-year survival rate is approximately 3%. However, a person’s age, overall health, and other factors can contribute to their outlook. A doctor will take all of these into consideration and make informed recommendations. Survival rates for pancreatic cancer are improving with developments in treatment. Between 2014 and 2020, the 5-year survival rates for all stages of pancreatic cancer increased from 6% to 10%. Researchers continue to work on improving treatments for this disease. Stage 4 pancreatic cancer has spread beyond the pancreas and into other organs. Doctors are not able to cure the cancer at this stage, and treatments aim to improve the person’s quality of life, relieve their symptoms, and prolong their life. Many specific factors, including age and general health, play a role in a person’s outlook. Many people with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and their loved ones benefit from support provided by family, friends, healthcare professionals, cancer organizations, and local or national support groups. What happens when pancreatic cancer spreads to the peritoneum?Peritoneal metastases are frequently associated with severe complications such as intestinal obstruction, massive ascites, and malnutrition. These complications result in a poor performance status and hamper the administration of chemotherapy.
How long can you live with peritoneal metastasis?For patients with diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM), a rare disease with relatively low incidence, median overall survivals between 34 and 92 months and 5-year survival rates from 33% to 59%, respectively, have been reported (17,23).
What are the final stages of peritoneal cancer?Symptoms of late-stage peritoneal cancer can include: complete bowel or urinary blockage. stomach pain. inability to eat or drink.
How long can you live with metastatic pancreatic cancer?Stage IV pancreatic cancer has a five-year survival rate of 1 percent. The average patient diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer will live for about 1 year after diagnosis.
|