Prostate Cancer Stage
Has Your Cancer Spread Beyond the Prostate?
Prostate Cancer Stage is the rating system consisting of four stages used to describe the spread of cancer. The different stages of cancer describe cancer confined within the prostate, growth that extends to tissue outside the prostate, to local organs or metastasized to distant parts of the body. Several different tests can be used either alone or in combination to determine the extent of spread of the cancer. Not all of these tests are needed in all men. Staging tests include the DRE, PSA Blood Test, Ultrasound, Biopsy, Bone Scan, Cat Scan, MRI and PET Scan.
What is your Prostate Cancer Stage?
Your prostate cancer stage is set after testing. Stage describes if the tumor was detected or felt during the digital rectal exam. The prostate cancer stage also indicates whether or not the cancer may have spread to lymph nodes or other organs. Clinical stage is based on all information available prior to any treatment and designated by the TNM system as shown below.
Prostate Cancer Stage Rating System
T1 – Cancer present, but not detectable in DRE or on imaging.
T1a – Found incidentally, Less than 5 percent of sample malignant and low-grade.
T1b – Found incidentally, More than 5 percent of sample malignant and/or not low-grade.
T1c – PSA elevated, not palpable, found in needle biopsy.
T2 – Tumor is palpable in DRE; organ confined.
T2a – Confined to half or less than half in one of the prostate’s two lobes.
T2b – Confined to more than one half of one lobe of gland but not both.
T2c – The tumor is in both lobes but within the prostatic capsule.
T3 – Locally extensive cancer.
T3a – Penetration of prostate capsule on one or both sides.
T3b – Invasion into the seminal vesicle.
T4 – Tumor extension to other organs.
T4a – Cancer that has invaded the bladder neck and/or rectum and/or external urinary sphincter.
T4b – Cancer that involves other areas near the prostate.
N – Lymph node involvement.
NO – No cancer detected in the lymph nodes.
N1 – Cancer spread to one or more lymph nodes measuring less than 2cm.
N2 – Cancer spread to one or more lymph nodes measuring 2-5cm.
N3 – Cancer spread to one or more lymph nodes measuring more than 5cm.
M – Metastasis to distant sites other than lymph nodes (cancer spread).
MO – Cancer that is confined to the prostate, surrounding tissues and pelvic lymph nodes.
M1 – Cancer that has spread beyond the pelvic area to bones, lungs, etc.
LEARN TO FIGHT PROSTATE CANCER
Top Ten Steps - Fight Prostate Cancer
Learn the Top Ten Steps, a guide through knowledge about the prostate, prostate cancer, diagnosis and treatment. Watch our video, introducing Edward Weber, MD. and hear his advice to men just diagnosed with prostate cancer. Get expert advice for your fight against Prostate Cancer.
Remission versus Recurrence?
Relapse of prostate cancer is way more common than you might think. Many men treated for prostate cancer have their cancer return, which can lead to a lifetime of treatment. Prostate Cancer Free studies treatment outcomes documented in "The STUDY", recently updated for 2021. Take this Study to your doctor, and discuss your chance of cancer recurrence. The Study is available with the new, just released booklet, to help you learn about prostate cancer. Both the Prostate Cancer Free Study and the booklet, “What You Need to Know About Prostate Cancer” are available NOW for you to VIEW, PRINT or DOWNLOAD.
Help To Continue the Work!
The Prostate Cancer Free Foundation, reviews the results of hundreds of thousands of men treated for prostate cancer. Tracking them for years. This information is available to you, and others like you, to help find the best prostate cancer treatment. This work takes time, effort, resources all of it done by volunteers. Please help us continue. Please Donate!