Patients who have cancer of the pancreas frequently can only expect to live several months after diagnosis, though certain factors can influence their overall life expectancy. Typically, the most important factor is how far advanced their disease is at the time of diagnosis, with those diagnosed earlier tending to live longer. If their tumor or tumors can be surgically removed, this can also make a difference. The patient's general health, lifestyle, and ability to have and respond to treatment may also be important when determining total pancreatic cancer life expectancy.
Time of diagnosis is usually the main determining factor for pancreatic cancer life expectancy. When pancreatic cancer is caught early enough, it is much less likely to have spread to nearby organs, the blood vessels, or the lymph nodes. Having the cancer confined only to the pancreas increases the possibility that tumors can be removed surgically; once it has spread, that option is often not feasible, and treatment with chemotherapy or radiation to address multiple affected body systems is usually unsuccessful. Unfortunately, the disease is often not caught until later stages, as early on the symptoms, which can include weight loss, nausea, and abdominal pain, are fairly non-specific and could be the result of a variety of other problems. The location of the organ within the body can also make it hard for a doctor to find any tumors, as it is deep within the body hidden by other structures.
Another important factor that affects pancreatic cancer life expectancy is whether or not surgery can be performed to remove tumor. This relates closely to the time of diagnosis, as surgery is generally only possible if the cancer has not spread, and this type of cancer is usually known to spread rapidly. For the best chances, it is important that all of the tumors be removed completely, which can be challenging due to the difficulty of reaching the pancreas.
Several patient-specific factors can also influence pancreatic cancer life expectancy. A person's general health at the time of diagnosis can play a role, with healthier patients able to fight the disease more effectively and also handle different types of treatment. Those living a healthier lifestyle including eating well, exercising, and not smoking may tend to fare better. Different people may respond better to different types of treatment, which might increase their overall survival time.