END CANCER ALLIANCE
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    • Sobre Cáncer de Próstata
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    • Etapas y Tratamientos
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    • Home
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    • About Prostate Cancer
      • About Prostate Cancer
      • Sobre Cáncer de Próstata
    • Prevention
      • Prevention
      • Prevención
    • Stages & Treatments
      • Stages and Treatments
      • Etapas y Tratamientos
    • News & Research
      • News & Research
      • Noticias e Investigación
  • Home
  • Home (ES)
  • About Prostate Cancer
    • About Prostate Cancer
    • Sobre Cáncer de Próstata
  • Prevention
    • Prevention
    • Prevención
  • Stages & Treatments
    • Stages and Treatments
    • Etapas y Tratamientos
  • News & Research
    • News & Research
    • Noticias e Investigación

A comprehensive approach in every phase

Stages & Treatments

Prostate cancer is classified into different stages based on tumor size, spread, and aggressiveness. Staging helps doctors determine the best treatment approach and predict outcomes. The staging system commonly used is the TNM system (Tumor, Nodes, Metastasis), along with the Gleason score and PSA levels.

Stage I: Localized & Small Tumor

Tumor Characteristics:

  • The cancer is small and confined to the prostate gland.
  • It cannot be felt during a digital rectal exam (DRE).
  • It is usually found accidentally during a biopsy for another reason (e.g., an elevated PSA test).
  • The PSA level is low, usually below 10 ng/mL..
  • The Gleason score (which indicates how abnormal cancer cells look under a microscope) is 6 or lower, meaning it is a slow-growing cancer.

Spread:

 No spread to nearby lymph nodes or distant organs 

Symptoms:

  •  Often no symptoms, which is why early screening is crucial.
  • Some men may experience mild urinary changes, but they are typically attributed to benign prostate enlargement.

Treatment Options:

1) Active surveillance (monitoring without immediate treatment).

2) Radical prostatectomy (surgical removal of the prostate) for younger patients.

3) Radiation therapy for those preferring a non-surgical approach.

Survival Rate:

Nearly 100% 5-year survival rate when detected at this stage.

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will


Mahatma Gandhi

Stage II: Larger Cancer but Still Confined to the Prostate

Tumor Characteristics:

  • The tumor is larger than Stage I, but still inside the prostate gland.
  • It may be felt during a DRE if it is on the outer edges of the prostate.
  • The PSA level is moderately elevated, typically between 10-20 ng/mL.
  • The Gleason score is 6 to 7, indicating slightly more aggressive cancer than Stage I.

Spread:

No spread to nearby tissues, lymph nodes, or distant organs.

Symptoms:

Some men may start experiencing urinary symptoms such as:

  • Weak urine stream.
  • Increased frequency of urination, especially at night.
  • Trouble starting and stopping urination.

Treatment Options:

1) Active surveillance for slow-growing cases.

2) Radiation therapy (external beam or brachytherapy).

3) Surgery (radical prostatectomy) if the patient is in good health and eligible for surgery.

Survival Rate:

Nearly 100% 5-year survival rate, as cancer is still fully treatable at this stage.

Knowing your enemy is the first step to defeating it. Awareness and action save lives


Dr. William Li (Cancer Researcher & Author)

Stage III: Spread Beyond the Prostate to Nearby Tissues

Tumor Characteristics:

  • Cancer has grown outside the prostate capsule, meaning it is no longer confined.
  • It may have reached the seminal vesicles, which are glands that produce part of the semen.
  • The PSA  level is usually higher than 20 ng/mL.
  • The Gleason score is 7-8, meaning the cancer cells look more abnormal and may  grow faster.

Spread:

Cancer has spread beyond the prostate, often to:

  • The seminal vesicles (Stage IIIA).
  • The bladder or rectum (Stage IIIB).
  • It may have reached nearby lymph nodes (Stage IIIC).

Distant spread (metastasis) is not present yet.

Symptoms:

More noticeable urinary problems, including:

  • Difficulty urinating.
  • Frequent urination, including at night.
  • Blood in urine or semen.

Pelvic pain or discomfort due to cancer spreading to surrounding tissues.

Some men may experience erectile dysfunction.

Treatment Options:

1) Radiation therapy with hormone therapy (hormonal treatment lowers testosterone, which fuels prostate cancer growth).

2) Surgery (radical prostatectomy) combined with radiation for aggressive cases.

3) Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) for patients who are not candidates for surgery or radiation.


Survival Rate:

70-80% 5-year survival rate depending on the extent of spread and treatment.

Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.


Hippocrates

Stage IV: Spread to Distant Parts of the Body

Tumor Characteristics:

  • The cancer has spread beyond the prostate to distant lymph nodes, bones, or other organs (lungs, liver, etc.).
  • The PSA level is often very high, frequently exceeding 50-100 ng/mL.
  • The Gleason score is 8-10, meaning the cancer is highly aggressive.

Spread:

Cancer has spread to:

  • Nearby tissues and lymph nodes (Stage IVA).
  • Bones, lungs, liver, or other organs (Stage IVB).

The most common metastatic site for prostate cancer is the bones, leading to:

  • Bone pain.
  • Fractures.
  • Spinal cord compression, which can cause paralysis in severe cases.


Symptoms:

  • Severe urinary issues or complete inability to urinate.
  • Chronic pain, especially in the lower back, pelvis, or ribs due to bone metastases.
  • Unintended weight loss and fatigue.
  • Swelling in legs (caused by lymph node obstruction).
  • Breathing difficulties (if the cancer has spread to the lungs).

Treatment Options (Palliative & Life-Prolonging, Not Curative):

1) Hormone Therapy (Androgen Deprivation Therapy – ADT): Slows cancer growth by reducing testosterone.

2) Chemotherapy: Often used when ADT is no longer effective.

3) Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy: Newer treatments that attack specific cancer cells.

4) Bone-Strengthening Medications: Help reduce bone pain and fractures in patients with bone metastases.

5) Radiation Therapy: Helps relieve symptoms in advanced cases..


Survival Rate:

  • 37% 5-year survival rate, depending on how far the cancer has spread and the response to treatment.
  • Some patients with aggressive treatment live beyond 5-10 years, but it varies significantly.

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.


Martin Luther King Jr.

Survivorship & Life After Treatment

Follow-Up Care

Lifestyle Modifications

Lifestyle Modifications

Regular check-ups are essential to monitor for cancer recurrence and manage any ongoing side effects.

Lifestyle Modifications

Lifestyle Modifications

Lifestyle Modifications

Maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in regular exercise, and avoiding tobacco can improve overall health and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.

Support Systems

Lifestyle Modifications

Support Systems

  Joining support groups or seeking counseling can provide emotional support and practical advice for navigating life after treatment.

For Support, please email us at  support@endcanceralliance.org or call +1 (925) 306-4404


You can send mail and/or donations to 1630 N Main St #229, Walnut Creek, CA 94596


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