Thank you for your question, and I understand how difficult and complex this situation must feel. Your oncologist is correct that the initial treatment course would typically be the same regardless of final staging. The goal is to assess how the disease responds to systemic chemotherapy before making decisions about local therapies like surgery or radiation. I recommend continuing to work closely with your oncology team at a high-volume pancreatic cancer center to fully explore and understand your options. Best wishes to you and your family.