Prostate Cancer

Stages

If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, it is important to know how far the cancer has spread. The physician stages the tumor based on its size, the character of its cells, and the extent of metastasis.

Prostate cancer can be staged as 'A,B,C,D'. Stage A and B cancers are curable. Stages C and D are treatable, but their prognoses are discouraging.

Stage A -  This is the very early stage without any symptoms, in this stage cancer cells are confined to the prostate. It can be identified with PSA tests and Biopsy. This type of cancer is usually curable. 

Stage B - In this stage, it is known that cancer is in several places within the prostate. It  is detectable by Digital rectal examinationand by elevated PSA.

Stage C -  In this stage, cancer cells can be found throughout the prostate as well as near by tissue or the bladder. This stage  is determined by Digital Rectal Exam, or CT/ MRI scans,  and/or  Sonography.  Some Stage C cancers are curable.

Stage D :  At this stage, cancer has spread beyond the prostate and nearby lymph nodes, distant bones, organs such as  liver, lungs and also to other tissues. This is usually determined by bone scan, Prostascint scan or other studies. Stage D cancer is not curable but treatable.