Prostate Cancer
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The most common risk factor for prostate cancer is age. Prostate cancer often does not cause symptoms for many years. By the time symptoms occur, the disease may have spread beyond the prostate. Prostate cancer is described by both grade and stage.
If you have experience with any type of cancer then we would like your opinion. Please submit your comment and we will post your comments in applicable sections.
All Rights Reserved
Click on a form of Cancer
Prostate Cancer Stages
When prostate cancer is diagnosed, it is given a stage and a grade.
Staging is determining the extent of the cancer, if it has spread to other parts of the body. It is different than grading. (A page on grading is at this site.)
Two popular systems for staging Prostate Cancer are presented on this page.
The Whitmore-Jewett staging ranges from A to D with sub-stages for more precise definition. The TNM staging system describes the extent of the primary tumor (T), the absence or presence of metastasis to nearby lymph nodes or glands (N), and the absence or presence of distant metastasis (M).
(For a simpler view of the TNM stages, with diagrams, click here.)
STAGE SUB-STAGE DEFINITION
T1 Clinically unapparent tumor, not detected by DRE nor visible by imaging
T1a Incidental histologic finding; <5% of tissue resected during TURP
T1b Incidental histologic finding; >5% of tissue resected during TURP
T1c Tumor identified by needle biopsy due to elevated PSA
T2 Confined within the prostate (detectable by DRE, not visible on TRUS)
T2a Tumor involves half of the lobe or less
T2b Tumor involves more than one half of one lobe but not both lobes
T2c Tumor involves both lobes
T3 Tumor extends through the prostate capsule but has not spread to other organs
T3a Unilateral extracapsular extension
T3b Bilateral extracapsular extension
T3c Tumor invades seminal vesicle(s)
T4 Tumor is fixed or invades adjacent structures other than seminal vesicles
T4a Tumor invades bladder neck and/or external sphincter and/or rectum
T4b Tumor invades levator muscles and/or is fixed to pelvic wall
STAGE SUB-STAGE DEFINITION
Node (N) Regional lymph nodes
N0 No lymph nodes metastasis
N1 Metastasis in single lymph node <2 cm in greatest dimension
N2 Metastasis in single lymph node >2cm but <5 cm in greatest dimension, or multiple lymph nodes, none >5 cm
N3 Metastasis in lymph node >5 cm in greatest dimension
STAGE SUB-STAGE DEFINITION
Metastasis Systemic spread
M0 No distant metastasis
M1a Non-regional lymph node metastasis
M1b Bone metastasis
a) Axial skeleton only
b) Extending to peripheral skeleton also
M1c Metastasis at other sites
STAGE SUB-STAGE DEFINITION
Histopathologic Differentiation
GX Grade cannot be assessed
G1 Well differentiated (slight anaplasia)
G2 Moderately differentiated (moderate anaplasia)
G3 Poorly differentiated or undifferentiated (marked anaplasia)
(For a simpler view of the TNM stages, with diagrams, click here.)
TOP OF PAGE
Staging I-IV
(The following is from the CancerNet Dictionary at the National Cancer Institute.)
Stage I prostate cancer: Cancer that is only in the prostate gland, cannot be felt during a digital rectal examination, is not visible by imaging, and causes no symptoms. It is usually found accidentally or because a blood test showed an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. Cancer cells may be found in only one area of the prostate or they may be found in many areas of the prostate. Similar to stage A in the Whitmore-Jewett staging system.
Stage II prostate cancer: Cancer that may be found by a needle biopsy done because a blood test showed elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA); or cancer which may be felt in the prostate gland during a digital rectal examination, even though the cancer cells are found only in the prostate gland. Similar to stage B in the Whitmore-Jewett staging system.
Stage III prostate cancer: Cancer cells have spread outside the covering (capsule) of the prostate gland to tissues around the prostate but not to the lymph nodes. The glands that produce semen (the seminal vesicles) may have cancer cells in them. Similar to stage C in the Whitmore-Jewett staging system.
Stage IV prostate cancer: Cancer cells have spread (metastasized) to lymph nodes (near or far from the prostate gland) or to organs and tissues far away from the prostate such as the bone, liver, or lungs. Similar to stage D in the Whitmore-Jewett staging system.
_________________________
Symptoms
Prostate cancer usually doesn't cause symptoms in its early stages. Between 60% and 70% of men who are older than 80 who have prostate cancer have no symptoms.3
Related Articles
* Prostate cancer
* Prostate Cancer - Topic Overview
» More symptoms Articles
When there are symptoms, they may include:
* Having difficulty starting your urine stream. This is called hesitancy.
* Having a weaker-than-normal urine stream.
* Not being able to urinate at all.
* Having to urinate often.
* Feeling that your bladder is not emptying completely when you urinate.
* Having to get up at night to urinate. This is called nocturia.
* Having pain or a burning feeling when you urinate. This is called dysuria.
* Having blood in your urine. This is called hematuria.
* Having blood in your semen. This is called hematospermia.
* Having a deep pain in your lower back, abdomen, hip, or pelvis.
These symptoms may also be caused by:
* Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is an enlarged prostate. This is very common in older men. The prostate usually grows larger with age. When it gets large enough, it can press against the urethra—the tube that carries urine from the bladder through your penis—and cause bladder problems.
* Prostatitis, an infection in the prostate.
* Urinary tract infection, an infection in any of the organs that make urine or the tubes that carry it out of the body.
Symptoms that may indicate the cancer has spread, or metastasized, to other parts of the body include:
* Weight loss.
* Bone pain, especially in the lower abdomen, hip, pelvis, or lower back.
* Swelling in the legs and feet.
For more information about prostate cancer that has come back or spread, see the topic Prostate Cancer, Advanced or Metastatic.
__________________________________
This year in the United States, there will be over 230,000 new prostate cancer diagnoses, making prostate cancer the most common type of cancer affecting men. Chances are either you or someone you know will develop the disease. The Prostate Cancer Treatment Guide’s information can help guide your visits with your physician as you formulate a plan for treatment.
There are 6 main sections of the Prostate Cancer Treatment Guide designed to help you find valuable information before, during, and after treatment. The sections below provide a survey of the information that the PCTG can offer you.
Prostate Cancer Treatment Guide: The Chart
Modern healthcare has given you the benefit of a myriad of treatment choices; the converse of this benefit, however, is that you must choose one of those treatments as your first line therapy. The PCTG Chart covers 7 main areas of treatment and, by clicking on the boxes, you will find other treatments that fall under that main category. The Chart provides a description of each treatment, a patient profile, an explanation of treatment’s procedure, as well as associated survival rates, and side effects.
Brachytherapy is a minimally invasive radiation therapy that plants small radioactive seeds inside the prostatic tissue. There are two types: permanent LDR and temporary HDR.
Chemotherapy works by destroying quickly-dividing cells and is usually reserved for patients with advanced prostate cancer.
Cryotherapy is a revolutionary minimally invasive therapy that uses ultrathin needles and freezing gases to destroy the cancerous tissue.
Hormone Therapy prevents testosterone from spurring the growth of prostatic tissue and the prostatic tumor. There are 4 types: castration (surgical and chemical), combined, estrogen, and anti-androgen.
Radiation Therapy refers to non-invasive beam therapy using electron, proton, or neutron beams. An example is intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).
Prostatectomy is prostate surgery and removes part of or the entire prostate gland.
Watchful Waiting occurs after the detection of early stage prostate cancer and carefully monitors the tumor’s progression before more advanced therapy begins.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms, Causes, Tests, and More: The Overview
The Overview answers your questions about prostate cancer symptoms, causes, prevention, and diagnostic tests such as the PSA test and prostate biopsy. Additionally, the Overview provides information about the prostate gland and what it does as well as other causes of prostatic problems such as benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Prostate Cancer Support: The Coping Section
Is there sex after prostate cancer? What are the risks of incontinence? Impotence and incontinence are the two major side effects that worry most men. The Coping Section will detail most of the medicines and technologies available to treat these two side effects. Do you want to know more about alternative medicines? Or when you can return to work? The Coping Section answers these questions and also provides information on emotional, family, and fertility issues.
Prostate Cancer Awareness: Are You are Risk?
This section details the risk factors such as age, race, and family history. Worried about whether you or love one may develop the disease? Click here to find out more about the risk factors.
Prostate Cancer Research and New Treatments: The News
PCTG provides a news feed so you can stay up-to-date on breakthrough research, cures, and patient options.
Prostate Cancer Definition: The Glossary
The Glossary describes and explains important terms. The Glossary’s terms are linked continuously through the Chart, the Overview, and Coping, or you can click here for a list of definitions.
When prostate cancer is diagnosed, it is given a stage and a grade.
Staging is determining the extent of the cancer, if it has spread to other parts of the body. It is different than grading. (A page on grading is at this site.)
Two popular systems for staging Prostate Cancer are presented on this page.
The Whitmore-Jewett staging ranges from A to D with sub-stages for more precise definition. The TNM staging system describes the extent of the primary tumor (T), the absence or presence of metastasis to nearby lymph nodes or glands (N), and the absence or presence of distant metastasis (M).
(For a simpler view of the TNM stages, with diagrams, click here.)
STAGE SUB-STAGE DEFINITION
T1 Clinically unapparent tumor, not detected by DRE nor visible by imaging
T1a Incidental histologic finding; <5% of tissue resected during TURP
T1b Incidental histologic finding; >5% of tissue resected during TURP
T1c Tumor identified by needle biopsy due to elevated PSA
T2 Confined within the prostate (detectable by DRE, not visible on TRUS)
T2a Tumor involves half of the lobe or less
T2b Tumor involves more than one half of one lobe but not both lobes
T2c Tumor involves both lobes
T3 Tumor extends through the prostate capsule but has not spread to other organs
T3a Unilateral extracapsular extension
T3b Bilateral extracapsular extension
T3c Tumor invades seminal vesicle(s)
T4 Tumor is fixed or invades adjacent structures other than seminal vesicles
T4a Tumor invades bladder neck and/or external sphincter and/or rectum
T4b Tumor invades levator muscles and/or is fixed to pelvic wall
STAGE SUB-STAGE DEFINITION
Node (N) Regional lymph nodes
N0 No lymph nodes metastasis
N1 Metastasis in single lymph node <2 cm in greatest dimension
N2 Metastasis in single lymph node >2cm but <5 cm in greatest dimension, or multiple lymph nodes, none >5 cm
N3 Metastasis in lymph node >5 cm in greatest dimension
STAGE SUB-STAGE DEFINITION
Metastasis Systemic spread
M0 No distant metastasis
M1a Non-regional lymph node metastasis
M1b Bone metastasis
a) Axial skeleton only
b) Extending to peripheral skeleton also
M1c Metastasis at other sites
STAGE SUB-STAGE DEFINITION
Histopathologic Differentiation
GX Grade cannot be assessed
G1 Well differentiated (slight anaplasia)
G2 Moderately differentiated (moderate anaplasia)
G3 Poorly differentiated or undifferentiated (marked anaplasia)
(For a simpler view of the TNM stages, with diagrams, click here.)
TOP OF PAGE
Staging I-IV
(The following is from the CancerNet Dictionary at the National Cancer Institute.)
Stage I prostate cancer: Cancer that is only in the prostate gland, cannot be felt during a digital rectal examination, is not visible by imaging, and causes no symptoms. It is usually found accidentally or because a blood test showed an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. Cancer cells may be found in only one area of the prostate or they may be found in many areas of the prostate. Similar to stage A in the Whitmore-Jewett staging system.
Stage II prostate cancer: Cancer that may be found by a needle biopsy done because a blood test showed elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA); or cancer which may be felt in the prostate gland during a digital rectal examination, even though the cancer cells are found only in the prostate gland. Similar to stage B in the Whitmore-Jewett staging system.
Stage III prostate cancer: Cancer cells have spread outside the covering (capsule) of the prostate gland to tissues around the prostate but not to the lymph nodes. The glands that produce semen (the seminal vesicles) may have cancer cells in them. Similar to stage C in the Whitmore-Jewett staging system.
Stage IV prostate cancer: Cancer cells have spread (metastasized) to lymph nodes (near or far from the prostate gland) or to organs and tissues far away from the prostate such as the bone, liver, or lungs. Similar to stage D in the Whitmore-Jewett staging system.
_________________________
Symptoms
Prostate cancer usually doesn't cause symptoms in its early stages. Between 60% and 70% of men who are older than 80 who have prostate cancer have no symptoms.3
Related Articles
* Prostate cancer
* Prostate Cancer - Topic Overview
» More symptoms Articles
When there are symptoms, they may include:
* Having difficulty starting your urine stream. This is called hesitancy.
* Having a weaker-than-normal urine stream.
* Not being able to urinate at all.
* Having to urinate often.
* Feeling that your bladder is not emptying completely when you urinate.
* Having to get up at night to urinate. This is called nocturia.
* Having pain or a burning feeling when you urinate. This is called dysuria.
* Having blood in your urine. This is called hematuria.
* Having blood in your semen. This is called hematospermia.
* Having a deep pain in your lower back, abdomen, hip, or pelvis.
These symptoms may also be caused by:
* Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is an enlarged prostate. This is very common in older men. The prostate usually grows larger with age. When it gets large enough, it can press against the urethra—the tube that carries urine from the bladder through your penis—and cause bladder problems.
* Prostatitis, an infection in the prostate.
* Urinary tract infection, an infection in any of the organs that make urine or the tubes that carry it out of the body.
Symptoms that may indicate the cancer has spread, or metastasized, to other parts of the body include:
* Weight loss.
* Bone pain, especially in the lower abdomen, hip, pelvis, or lower back.
* Swelling in the legs and feet.
For more information about prostate cancer that has come back or spread, see the topic Prostate Cancer, Advanced or Metastatic.
__________________________________
This year in the United States, there will be over 230,000 new prostate cancer diagnoses, making prostate cancer the most common type of cancer affecting men. Chances are either you or someone you know will develop the disease. The Prostate Cancer Treatment Guide’s information can help guide your visits with your physician as you formulate a plan for treatment.
There are 6 main sections of the Prostate Cancer Treatment Guide designed to help you find valuable information before, during, and after treatment. The sections below provide a survey of the information that the PCTG can offer you.
Prostate Cancer Treatment Guide: The Chart
Modern healthcare has given you the benefit of a myriad of treatment choices; the converse of this benefit, however, is that you must choose one of those treatments as your first line therapy. The PCTG Chart covers 7 main areas of treatment and, by clicking on the boxes, you will find other treatments that fall under that main category. The Chart provides a description of each treatment, a patient profile, an explanation of treatment’s procedure, as well as associated survival rates, and side effects.
Brachytherapy is a minimally invasive radiation therapy that plants small radioactive seeds inside the prostatic tissue. There are two types: permanent LDR and temporary HDR.
Chemotherapy works by destroying quickly-dividing cells and is usually reserved for patients with advanced prostate cancer.
Cryotherapy is a revolutionary minimally invasive therapy that uses ultrathin needles and freezing gases to destroy the cancerous tissue.
Hormone Therapy prevents testosterone from spurring the growth of prostatic tissue and the prostatic tumor. There are 4 types: castration (surgical and chemical), combined, estrogen, and anti-androgen.
Radiation Therapy refers to non-invasive beam therapy using electron, proton, or neutron beams. An example is intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).
Prostatectomy is prostate surgery and removes part of or the entire prostate gland.
Watchful Waiting occurs after the detection of early stage prostate cancer and carefully monitors the tumor’s progression before more advanced therapy begins.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms, Causes, Tests, and More: The Overview
The Overview answers your questions about prostate cancer symptoms, causes, prevention, and diagnostic tests such as the PSA test and prostate biopsy. Additionally, the Overview provides information about the prostate gland and what it does as well as other causes of prostatic problems such as benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Prostate Cancer Support: The Coping Section
Is there sex after prostate cancer? What are the risks of incontinence? Impotence and incontinence are the two major side effects that worry most men. The Coping Section will detail most of the medicines and technologies available to treat these two side effects. Do you want to know more about alternative medicines? Or when you can return to work? The Coping Section answers these questions and also provides information on emotional, family, and fertility issues.
Prostate Cancer Awareness: Are You are Risk?
This section details the risk factors such as age, race, and family history. Worried about whether you or love one may develop the disease? Click here to find out more about the risk factors.
Prostate Cancer Research and New Treatments: The News
PCTG provides a news feed so you can stay up-to-date on breakthrough research, cures, and patient options.
Prostate Cancer Definition: The Glossary
The Glossary describes and explains important terms. The Glossary’s terms are linked continuously through the Chart, the Overview, and Coping, or you can click here for a list of definitions.