Prostate cancer is a disease of the prostate gland that is second only to lung cancer in male deaths but that is curable if caught in early stages. The process your doctor uses to find out if cancer has spread within the prostate or to other parts of the body is called staging. The information gathered from the staging process determines the stage of the disease. It is important to know the stage in order to plan your treatment.

Currently you will be given one of the following stages:

Stage 1

Cancer is found in the prostate only. It cannot be felt during a digital rectal exam and is not visible by imaging. The Gleason score is low. Stage 1prostate cancer may also be called stage A1 prostate cancer.

Stage 2

Cancer is more advanced than in stage 1, but has not spread outside the prostate. The Gleason score can range from 2-10. Stage 2prostate cancer may also be called stage A2, stage B1, or stage B2 prostate cancer.

Stage 3

Cancer has spread beyond the outer layer of the prostate to nearby tissues. Cancer may be found in the seminal vesicles. The Gleason score can range from 2-10. Stage 3 prostate cancer may also be called stage C prostate cancer.

Stage 4

Cancer has metastasized (spread) to lymph nodes near or far from the prostate or to other parts of the body, such as the bladder, rectum, bones, liver, or lungs. Metastatic prostate cancer often spreads to the bones. The Gleason score can range from 2-10. Stage 4 prostate cancer may also be called stage D1 or stage D2 prostate cancer.

The current standard of care depending on the stage can consist of the following options:

Watchful waiting
Surgery
Radiation therapy
Hormone therapy

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The National Cancer Institute (NCI) funded by your tax dollars provides much information on these stages and care options. To read more from the NCI on this subject click here.