The main concern in staging is as to whether the growth is confined to the pancreas or whether it has spread outside the gland and thereby is definitely incurable.
Where the disease is localised sugical removal may be curative in a minority of patients.
Where the disease is metastatic, palliative chemotherapy may be useful.
Where the disease is locally infiltrative but non-metastatic, chemo-radiotherapy is advised.
Where there is bile duct obstruction, stenting may overcome the obstruction.
