Question: There is a strong possibility that my loved one has pancreatic cancer. While we will know more early next week, I am doing as much preliminary research as possible to understand how I can be the most effective advocate for her. Please help.

Grading rubric:
description: The response should state that the treatment of pancreatic cancer depends on the stage of the cancer.
description: The response should state that the treatment of pancreatic cancer depends on the location of the cancer.
description: The response should state that treatment of pancreatic cancer is multimodality and includes surgery.
description: The response should state that treatment of pancreatic cancer is multimodality and includes chemotherapy.
description: The response should state that treatment of pancreatic cancer is multimodality and includes radiation.
description: The response should mention that early, multidisciplinary management is essential to optimize outcomes.
description: The response should mention that care is best coordinated at high-volume centers with expertise in pancreatic malignancies.
description: The response should state that symptom management is an important part of the care of patients with pancreatic cancer.
description: The response should describe the basics of pancreatic cancer, including that the most common type is pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
description: The response should describe how pancreatic cancer is staged based on the NCCN guidelines (version 2.2025). Based on the NCCN Guidelines Version 2.2025 (AJCC 8th edition) TNM staging for pancreatic adenocarcinoma, including: T (Primary Tumor) – TX (cannot be assessed), T0 (no evidence), Tis (carcinoma in situ, including high-grade PanIN, IPMN, tubulopapillary, and mucinous cystic neoplasms with high-grade dysplasia), T1 (≤2 cm; subdivided into T1a ≤ 0.5 cm, T1b > 0.5 cm < 1 cm, T1c 1–2 cm), T2 > 2–≤ 4 cm, T3 > 4 cm, and T4 (involving celiac axis, SMA, or common hepatic artery, regardless of size); N (Regional Lymph Nodes) – NX (cannot be assessed), N0 (none), N1 (1–3 positive nodes), N2 (≥ 4 positive nodes); M (Distant Metastasis) – M0 (none), M1 (present); and the AJCC Prognostic Groups – Stage 0 (Tis N0 M0), Stage IA (T1 N0 M0), Stage IB (T2 N0 M0), Stage IIA (T3 N0 M0), Stage IIB (T1–T3 N1 M0), Stage III (T1–T3 N2 M0 or T4 any N M0), and Stage IV (any T any N M1).
description: The response should mention that pancreatic cancer is an aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis, often presenting at an advanced stage.
description: The response should recommend writing down questions in advance to ensure that all concerns are addressed during consultations.
description: The response should mention that advocacy for comprehensive testing is important, including somatic and germline genetic testing.
description: The response should mention to inquire about clinical trial opportunities, as participation may provide access to novel therapies.
description: The response should mention that cancer.net and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org) provide high-quality information, support services, and advocacy opportunities.
description: The response should recommend that the user discuss this case with an oncologist.