The extent to which the tumor surrounds or involves major blood vessels. The degree of surrounding (e.g., <180° or >180°) and the specific blood vessel (e.g., superior mesenteric artery) will influence resectability. Venous involvement is generally more resectable than arterial involvement.

In the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system, M0 denotes a primary tumor that has not metastasized, and M1 denotes metastases. Metastatic cases are unresectable.

Spread of the primary pancreatic tumor to other distant parts of the body (e.g., liver, peritoneum)

In the AJCC TNM system, N0 means regional lymph nodes are not involved, and N1 means they are. Lymph node involvement does not play a critical role in determining resectability.

The most common type of pancreatic cancer; a solid tumor.

Inflammation of the pancreas.

A harm of computed tomography that can increase the risk of developing cancer.

The degree to which the tumor can be safely removed surgically. Resection is the only chance of cure for those who have pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

The performance or likelihood of an imaging test to correctly detect cancer. It is computed by dividing the number of patients who test positive on the imaging test by the number of patients who were actually positive via the gold standard test.

The performance or likelihood of an imaging test to correctly rule out cancer. It is computed by dividing the number of patients who test negative on the imaging test by the number of patients who were actually negative via the gold standard test.

In the AJCC TNM system, T staging indicates the primary tumor size and/or spread. T0 means there is no tumor; TX means unknown size/spread; Tis means carcinoma in situ; T1 means a tumor <2 cm and confined to the pancreas; T2 means a tumor >2 cm and confined to the pancreas; T3 means the tumor has extended outside the pancreas but not to nearby arteries; and T4 means the tumor has extended outside the pancreas to nearby arteries.¹⁰