What is stage 4 pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is a cancer of the pancreas, a small organ found behind your stomach. In pancreatic cancer, cancer cells form a tumor in the pancreas, which interferes with the normal function of the organ and may spread to other parts of the body.

The pancreas is part of the digestive system, making enzymes needed for digestion. It also produces hormones that help your body use sugars. In stage 4 of pancreatic cancer, the cancer that began in the pancreas has spread beyond the pancreas to other parts of the body far from the pancreas, such as the lymph nodes.