What does stage 4 mean? Alex Trebek's pancreatic cancer diagnosis

[left-of-center2012]

Like with other cancers, pancreatic cancer is categorized by stages which describe how far the cancer has spread and how much of the body it has affected.
By stage 4 — the most severe — the cancer has spread to distant sites of the body like the liver, lungs, or bones.

When looking at the survival rate for stage 4 pancreatic cancer, just 3 percent of people with stage 4 pancreatic cancer will still be alive after five years.

However, it's important to note that these numbers are based off historical data and there have been some advancements in the treatment options available today, so new patients may have a better outlook than these numbers show.

"Usually it's treated through some sort of chemotherapy and radiation," Julie Fleshman, president and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN.org) said.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alex-trebek-pancreatic-cancer-diagnosis-what-does-stage-4-mean/

[Cattledog]

1. He's 78. The odds of him being here next year are bleak.

[redstatebluegirl]

2. The odds of him being here at Christmas are poor at best.

A friend of mine was diagnosed in August of 2016 with stage four and she was dead two weeks before Christmas.

[zipplewrath]

3. It has spread

It means it has spread to various parts of his body. It means he's had this a while. He's talking about "beating it", but he's probably tried to beat it once already. And at his age, the kinds of things that they might try may weaken him too much.