What is stage 4 pancreatic cancer?

You may be told the stage of cancer. This describes the size of the cancer, if it has spread outside the pancreas and where to.

What does stage 4 pancreatic cancer mean?

Stage 4 cancer means that the cancer has spread to other parts of your body. It may have spread to your lungs, liver or the lining of your tummy (peritoneum). This is advanced or metastatic cancer.

What are the symptoms of stage 4 pancreatic cancer?

Not everyone will get the same symptoms of pancreatic cancer. Common symptoms include indigestion, pain in your tummy or back, changes to your poo, losing weight without meaning to, and jaundice.

Speak to your doctor or nurse if you have any symptoms or side effects. There are ways to manage most symptoms and improve how well you feel in your day-to-day life.

Can stage 4 pancreatic cancer be treated?

You may be able to have chemotherapy to slow down the growth of the cancer. Treatment for advanced cancer won’t cure the cancer, but it may help you live longer and generally feel better. You can also have treatments to help manage any symptoms.

Your doctor or nurse may call the cancer inoperable or unresectable, which means that surgery is not an option.

Read more about advanced pancreatic cancer.

What’s the survival rate or prognosis for stage 4 pancreatic cancer?

Some people want to know whether their cancer can be cured, or how long they may have left to live. This is called your prognosis, outlook or life expectancy.

This will be different for each person, and depends on several things. It’s important to talk to your doctor about your own situation, if you want to know more. We have more information explaining prognosis.

We’re here for you. If you or someone you care about has pancreatic cancer, we can help.

Published March 2026

To be reviewed March 2029