Stages of Prostate Cancer
The 4 Stages of the Tumor

Just like most types of malignant tumor, there are also stages of prostate cancer to describe how developed the tumor is and how far it has spread. Proper staging is needed for developing a prognosis and is useful in choosing the appropriate treatment.

Do you have a certain query about this type of tumor? Click here to ask at Prostate Cancer Questions and Answers.

What to expect in the 4 stages?

Staging is very important because the doctor can determine if the tumor is still localized. The cancerous growth during the first 2 stages of prostate cancer is still enclosed in the gland and don't show warning signs.

Stage I

In this stage, the tumor...

• is confined in the gland
• its size is microscopic
• can’t be felt during a digital rectal exam (DRE)and
• can't be seen on ultrasound or sonogram imaging of the gland.

The tumor is often discovered when a man is treated surgically for benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH, a noncancerous enlargement of the gland.

The tumor can also be discovered through PS test and a subsequent biopsy. Surgery is usually the first recommended form of treatment.

Robotic surgery is the latest form of treatment. Click here to learn about the new treatments for your prostate tumor.

Stage II

In stage 2, the tumor...

• is more advanced and has grown bigger inside the gland
• is still confined inside the gland
• its growth doesn't extend beyond the gland yet
• can now be felt during a DRE and is visible on ultrasound or sonogram imaging.

Stage III

In stage 3, the tumor...

• has moved outside the gland to invade other tissues
• has spread only to the adjacent tissues like the seminal vesicles.

At end stage, prostate cancer...

• has spread further to affect tissues and organs near the gland like the bladder and the rectum
• has invaded the lymph nodes, bones, liver, or lungs.

Click here to learn what treatment options are available for your advanced prostate tumor.

The cancerous growth has already metastasized for both stages 3 and 4. But the difference between these advanced prostate cancer stages is the extent of the metastasis.

Didn't find what you were looking for? Try searching for it below.

Custom Search

What would you like to read next?