This disease is difficult to catch in its early stages when it is easier to treat. Often, the first symptoms that present themselves are abdominal pain and nausea. These two symptoms can be present in any number of illnesses or disorders, so providers often do not test for pancreatic cancer first. Once these symptoms are present, however, the cancer has typically already reached Stage 4. This means that it has already spread to other organs or systems, such as the lymphatic system. It cannot be cured, but treatments can help prolong and increase the quality of life. Most pancreatic cancer cases are diagnosed at stage 4.