Prostate Staging: The Progression of Prostate Cancer

The type of treatment you receive for prostatic cancer will often depend on how far your cancer has progressed. The progression of prostatic cancer is known as prostate staging and the various stages are as follows:

Prostate Staging: Stage T1

At this stage the progression of prostate cancer is minimal and there are unlikely to be symptoms. There is a small tumor in the prostate gland that would not be obvious during a rectal exam, but which may be picked up by a biopsy. This stage is known as localized prostatic cancer.

Prostate Staging: Stage T2

Although the progression of prostate cancer is more advanced, the tumor is still within the prostate gland. At this stage the tumor could be detected during a rectal exam or ultrasound as it has grown significantly larger. This stage is still known as localized prostatic cancer.

Prostate Staging: Stage T3 & T4

At this stage the progression of prostate cancer has significantly advanced, and the cancer has spread to the tissue surrounding the prostate gland. These stages are known as locally-advanced prostatic cancer.

Prostate Staging: Stage N1

At this stage in the progression of prostate cancer, it is unlikely to be totally cured, although the spread of the cancer can be slowed down with treatment. At stage N1 the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, glands found throughout the body. This stage is known as metastatic prostatic cancer.

Prostate staging: Stage M1a & M1b

At stage M1a the cancer has spread to lymph nodes in parts of the body that aren’t close to the prostate gland. At stage M1b the progression of prostate cancer is very severe as the cancer has spread to the bones.

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