The Four Stages of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is identified into four stages. To determine the cancer stage, doctors will complete tests, both physical and lab tests, to stage the cancer. Why is this important?  Cancer treatment is determined by the stage of the disease in prostate cancer as in other cancers. So knowing the stage allows individualized treatment for your war against this disease.

To stage prostate cancer the following variables are considered:

• The size of the tumor
• Are the lymph nodes and/or lymph glands affected
• Has the cancer spread to other locations or parts of the body

Here's a description of Prostate Cancer Stages:

Stage 1

Cancer is contained completely within the prostate gland.  The cancer is quite small, and cannot be felt by the doctor during a rectal examination. More testing is required to determine that there even is a tumor.  At this very early stage your treatment will have the very best opportunity for success.

Stage 2

Although the cancer is still confined in the prostate gland, it has grown. This larger tumor can be felt during a rectal examination as a distinct, hard lump. At this point, the doctor will be suspicious but not ready to begin some type of treatment.  More medical tests and blood work will be required to confirm the potential diagnosis. Again, a stage 2 tumor will not have spread.

Stage 3

Cancer is no longer contained within the prostate.  It has broken through the prostate 'wall' and possibly grown into the surrounding tissue.  This may include intrusion into the neck of the bladder or the seminal vesicle. At this point the tumor probably causes a lot of discomfort and distress when trying to pass urine. You probably will be feeling quite ill at this time with various aches and pains.  Weight loss is also common at this stage.  

Stage 4

Cancer has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body. This can be the bones or the lymph glands. Usually prostate cancer is most likely to spread to the bones. This metastasis can occur when the cancer is very small. When cancer is detected in the bone it is considered stage 4.

Stage 1	Small, within prostate; cannot be felt in exam.  Best treatment
Stage 2	Within prostate, but definite hard lump. Other testing to confirm
Stage 3	Broken through prostate, body detects impact
Stage 4	Spread, typically to the bones

What about the future?

Many factors are involved in the prognosis for prostate cancer. The future depends not only on your age and the stage of your cancer; but your mental attitude. A strong mental preparation is essential, not only for prostate cancer, but any type of cancer.

Should one automatically assume that a diagnosis of cancer is a death sentence? Absolutely not. Many more people defeat cancer than die of it. Those people who refuse to accept their illness that put their lives most at risk. Accept the challenge and know there is a plan for your life!

The medical community agrees on this.  The patients who maintain the most positive attitude in spite of their cancer do much better than those who get depressed. Some doctors go even further by stating an optimistic approach helps strengthen the bodies' natural protective mechanisms. This means remaining positive improves your immune responses and you have a much better chance of defeating your illness.

Be proactive towards your cancer and cancer treatment.  Be optimistic. The chances are that most sufferers of prostate cancer will live a long and healthy life.

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