The Prognosis of Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer: Survival Rate and Treatment Options

April 12, 2023

Overview of Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a serious and often deadly disease that affects the pancreas, a gland located behind the stomach that plays an important role in digestion and blood sugar regulation. When cancer develops in the pancreas, it can be difficult to diagnose and treat, as the symptoms may not appear until the disease has advanced to later stages.

What is Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer?

Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, also known as advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer, is the most advanced stage of the disease. At this stage, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs, or bones. This makes it more difficult to treat, and the prognosis is generally poor.

Symptoms of Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer

Symptoms of stage 4 pancreatic cancer can include:

  • Pain in the upper abdomen or back
  • Weight loss and loss of appetite
  • Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by a build-up of bilirubin in the blood
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Depression and anxiety

It’s important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, so it’s crucial to see a doctor if you suspect you have stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

Diagnosis of Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer

Diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer typically involves several tests, including:

  • Physical exam: Your doctor will examine you for signs of the cancer, such as a lump in the abdomen or jaundice.

  • Blood tests: Your doctor may order blood tests to check for markers of pancreatic cancer, such as high levels of CA 19-9, a protein that is often elevated in people with pancreatic cancer.

  • Imaging tests: Imaging tests such as a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help show the size, location, and spread of the cancer.

  • Biopsy: Your doctor may take a sample of tissue from the tumor to check for cancer cells.

Prognosis of Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer

The prognosis for stage 4 pancreatic cancer is generally poor. According to the American Cancer Society, the one-year survival rate for stage 4 pancreatic cancer is about 20%, and the five-year survival rate is about 5%. These rates may be higher for people who are candidates for certain treatments, such as surgery or radiation therapy.

It’s important to note that everyone’s experience with cancer is unique, and some people may have a better prognosis than others. Your doctor will be able to provide you with more information on your specific case.

Pancreatic cancer is a serious disease that can be difficult to diagnose and treat, particularly when it has advanced to stage 4. If you have symptoms of stage 4 pancreatic cancer, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis. With the help of your doctor and other healthcare professionals, you can work together to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Survival Rates for Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a serious and often deadly disease, and the survival rates for stage 4 pancreatic cancer are generally low. However, it’s important to note that survival rates can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the patient’s age, overall health, and the specifics of the cancer (i.e. location, size, grade and the specifics of the spread).

One-Year Survival Rate

According to the American Cancer Society, the one-year survival rate for stage 4 pancreatic cancer is about 20%. This means that about 20% of people with stage 4 pancreatic cancer will still be alive one year after their diagnosis.

Five-Year Survival Rate

The five-year survival rate for stage 4 pancreatic cancer is about 5%. This means that only about 5% of people with stage 4 pancreatic cancer will still be alive five years after their diagnosis.

Factors that Can Affect Survival Rates

  • Age: Survival rates for pancreatic cancer tend to be lower for older adults.

  • Overall health: People who are in good overall health tend to have better survival rates than those who are not.

  • Treatment: Survival rates tend to be higher for people who receive treatment, such as surgery or radiation therapy, compared to those who do not.

  • Type of cancer: Survival rates may be better for certain types of pancreatic cancer, such as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) or intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) which are usually slower-growing than other types of pancreatic cancer.

  • Location and spread of cancer: Survival rates may be better for people whose cancer is confined to the pancreas, compared to those whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The survival rates for stage 4 pancreatic cancer are generally low, with a one-year survival rate of about 20% and a five-year survival rate of about 5%. However, survival rates can vary depending on several factors, such as the patient’s age, overall health, type of cancer and specifics of the cancer (i.e. location, size, grade and specifics of the spread). It’s important to remember that everyone’s experience with cancer is unique, and some people may have a better prognosis than others. It’s important to work with your doctor to understand your specific situation and explore all available treatment options.

Standard Treatment Options for Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer

When pancreatic cancer has advanced to stage 4, it can be difficult to treat and cure. However, there are several treatment options that can help manage symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and improve quality of life. It’s important to work with your healthcare team to determine the best treatment plan for you.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It’s one of the most common treatments for stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The drugs are usually given intravenously, and they can be administered in combination with other treatments such as radiation therapy or surgery. Commonly used drugs include gemcitabine, 5-FU and capecitabine.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams of radiation to kill cancer cells. It can be used to shrink tumors, control symptoms such as pain, and improve quality of life. Radiation therapy can be given alone or in combination with chemotherapy or surgery.

Surgery

Surgery can be an option for some people with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, particularly if the cancer is confined to a specific area of the pancreas or if it has not spread to other organs. Surgery can be used to remove tumors and improve symptoms such as jaundice. Surgery can be a palliative surgery to alleviate symptoms, but not to cure the cancer.

Supportive Care

Supportive care, also called palliative care, is an important part of treatment for stage 4 pancreatic cancer. It can help relieve symptoms, improve quality of life, and provide emotional and spiritual support for both the patient and their family. Supportive care can include things such as pain management, nutritional support, and psychological counseling.

Treatment options for stage 4 pancreatic cancer are generally aimed at managing symptoms, slowing the progression of the disease and improving quality of life. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery and supportive care can all play a role in the treatment of stage 4 pancreatic cancer. It’s important to work with your healthcare team to determine the best treatment plan for you. It’s also important to keep in mind that there are also alternative treatment options and clinical trials that may be available.

Experimental Treatments for Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer

Although the prognosis for stage 4 pancreatic cancer is generally poor, there are several experimental treatments that are currently being researched and developed. These treatments may not be widely available, but they may offer new hope for people with this disease.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that helps the body’s immune system fight cancer cells. It works by targeting specific proteins on the surface of cancer cells that help them evade the immune system. Several immunotherapy drugs, such as nivolumab, pembrolizumab and atezolizumab, have shown promise in treating pancreatic cancer, and are being studied in clinical trials.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is a type of treatment that targets specific molecules on the surface of cancer cells that help them grow and spread. This type of treatment may be more effective than chemotherapy because it’s less toxic and it specifically targets cancer cells, leaving normal cells unharmed. Several targeted therapy drugs such as erlotinib and crizotinib, are being studied in clinical trials for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy is a type of treatment that uses stem cells, which are cells that can develop into different types of cells, to help repair damaged tissue. This type of treatment may be able to help repair damage caused by cancer and improve overall health. Stem cell therapy is currently being studied in clinical trials for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Experimental treatments for stage 4 pancreatic cancer are being researched and developed in order to improve the prognosis and outcomes for patients. Immunotherapy, targeted therapy and stem cell therapy are some of the experimental treatments that have shown promise in treating pancreatic cancer. These treatments may not be widely available, but they may offer new hope for people with this disease. It’s important to discuss with your healthcare team about the availability of these treatments and if you are eligible to participate in a clinical trial.

Managing Symptoms and Improving Quality of Life in Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a serious disease that can cause a variety of symptoms, particularly when it has advanced to stage 4. Managing these symptoms and improving quality of life is an important part of treatment for people with this disease.

Managing Pain

Pain is a common symptom of stage 4 pancreatic cancer. It can be caused by the tumor pressing on nearby organs or nerves, or by cancer that has spread to the bones. Pain management is an important part of treatment for people with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and can include things such as:

  • Pain medication: Your doctor may prescribe medication to help manage pain, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, or opioid painkillers.

  • Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy can be used to shrink tumors and control pain.

  • Surgery: Surgery can be used to remove tumors and relieve pain caused by pressure on nearby organs or nerves.

Managing Jaundice

Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by a build-up of bilirubin in the blood. It is a common symptom of stage 4 pancreatic cancer caused by a blockage in the bile duct. Jaundice can be managed with things such as:

  • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): ERCP is a procedure that can remove blockages in the bile duct and improve the flow of bile.

  • Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy can be used to shrink tumors and improve the flow of bile.

  • Surgery: Surgery can be used to remove tumors and relieve blockages in the bile duct.

Managing Nutritional Issues

Nutritional issues are common in people with pancreatic cancer, particularly when the cancer has advanced to stage 4. Nutritional support can include things such as:

  • Nutrition counseling: A registered dietitian can work with you to create a diet that is high in protein and calories, and low in fat.

  • Tube feeding: If you are unable to eat enough food by mouth, a feeding tube may be inserted through the nose or stomach to provide nutrition directly to the stomach or small intestine.

  • Intravenous (IV) fluids: If you are unable to eat or drink, IV fluids may be used to provide fluids and electrolytes.

Managing Emotional and Spiritual Issues

Living with cancer can be difficult, and it’s important to address emotional and spiritual issues as part of treatment. Supportive care, also called palliative care, can provide emotional and spiritual support for both the patient and their family. Supportive care can include things such as:

  • Counseling: A counselor or therapist can provide support for dealing with the emotional and spiritual aspects of cancer.

  • Support groups: Support groups can provide a sense of community and a chance to share experiences with others who are going through similar situations.

Managing symptoms and improving quality of life are important parts of treatment for stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Pain, jaundice, nutritional issues, and emotional and spiritual issues are common symptoms that can be managed with a variety of treatments. It’s important to work with your healthcare team to develop a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and improves your overall quality of life.

Sources & references used in this article: