What is metastatic pancreatic cancer? Susan Saint James's official cause of death confirmed; all you need to know

Actress Susan Saint James died on October 26, 2026 (Monday). She was 80. Days after her passing, the official cause of death has been confirmed. She died from metastatic pancreatic cancer, PEOPLE reported, citing a death certificate on November 5, 2026 (Thursday).

According to the news outlet, the interval between the onset of the cause and her death is listed as months. Earlier, speaking to PEOPLE on October 26, 2026, a representative for Saint James said that the Emmy winner died after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

What is metastatic pancreatic cancer

Metastatic pancreatic cancer is a stage IV cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, it spreads from the pancreas to another part of the body. It is also known as stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The pancreas is responsible for making enzymes that help the body digest food. The organ is present behind the lower part of the stomach. It also makes hormones such as insulin that help control blood sugar.

Where do pancreatic cancers begin

In most cases, pancreatic cancers begin in cells that line the ducts that carry digestive enzymes out of the pancreas, according to Mayo Clinic. This is a type of cancer, which is called pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

When does cancer become metastatic

Cancer becomes metastatic when its cells break away from the original tumor and travel through the bloodstream or lymph system and start to grow elsewhere in the body. This type of cancer mostly involves the liver.

Most often, pancreatic cancer is initially diagnosed at a later stage because the cancer may not cause symptoms until after it becomes large or spreads to other organs.

There are also chances that it can spread to the lining of the abdomen, called the peritoneum, and to the lungs. Other sites may also include distant lymph nodes and, less often, bones or other organs.

Susan Saint James marriages

James married thrice. She got married to Richard Neubert in 1967 and got divorced in the following year. The couple had no children. In 1971, she tied the knot with Tom Lucas. According to IMDb, the couple separated in 1979. Some outlets including PEOPLE claim that they got divorced in 1977. They shared two children Sunshine and Harmony Lucas.

In 1981, the actress married ‘Saturday Night Live’ co-creator Dick Ebersol and the couple shared three sons Charlie and Willie, and Teddy. Teddy died in a plane crash at age 14 in 2004.