Advances in neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer: Current trends and future directions

Figure 1 Schematic representation of pancreatic cancer stages. A: Resectable pancreatic cancer (RPC). The primary tumor is separated from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) by non-malignant pancreatic tissue or fat, indicating no direct contact. There may be a minimal interface between the tumor and the superior mesenteric vein (SMV), but the vein remains patent without occlusion; B: Borderline RPC. The primary tumor contacts less than 50% of the circumference of the SMA. While there may be occlusion of the superior mesenteric vein, the vessel must be amenable to reconstruction, whether through end-to-end anastomosis, patch placement, or short-segment grafting; C: Locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The primary tumor demonstrates encasement of the SMA and/or is associated with an SMV that cannot be reconstructed.