For an in depth PowerPoint on Prostate Cancer, click here.
Definition of prostate cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the prostate (a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum). Prostate cancer usually occurs in older men.
Estimated new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2016: 180,890
Prostate cancer is the most common nonskin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men in the United States. African American men have a higher incidence rate than men of other racial/ethnic groups.
Risk factors for prostate cancer include increasing age, African ancestry, and a family history of prostate cancer. Certain genetic mutations, such as BRCA2 and CHEK2 increase your risk for prostate cancer. Although PSA testing has been used widely for prostate cancer screening, most advisory groups now recommend against routine screening as more has been learned about the benefits and harms of PSA testing. Standard treatments for prostate cancer include watchful waiting or active surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, biological therapy, and bisphosphonate therapy.
The following stages are used for prostate cancer:
Stage I
In stage I, cancer is found in the prostate only. The cancer:
- is found by needle biopsy (done for a high PSA level) or in a small amount of tissue during surgery for other reasons (such as benign prostatic hyperplasia). The PSA level is lower than 10 and the Gleason score is 6 or lower; or
- is found in one-half or less of one lobe of the prostate. The PSA level is lower than 10 and the Gleason score is 6 or lower; or
- cannot be felt during a digital rectal exam and cannot be seen in imaging tests. Cancer is found in one-half or less of one lobe of the prostate. The PSA level and the Gleason score are not known.
Stage II
In stage II, cancer is more advanced than in stage I, but has not spread outside the prostate. Stage II is divided into stages IIA and IIB.
In stage IIA, cancer:
- is found by needle biopsy (done for a high PSA level) or in a small amount of tissue during surgery for other reasons (such as benign prostatic hyperplasia). The PSA level is lower than 20 and the Gleason score is 7; or
- is found by needle biopsy (done for a high PSA level) or in a small amount of tissue during surgery for other reasons (such as benign prostatic hyperplasia). The PSA level is at least 10 but lower than 20 and the Gleason score is 6 or lower; or
- is found in one-half or less of one lobe of the prostate. The PSA level is at least 10 but lower than 20 and the Gleason score is 6 or lower; or
- is found in one-half or less of one lobe of the prostate. The PSA level is lower than 20 and the Gleason score is 7; or
- is found in more than one-half of one lobe of the prostate.
In stage IIB, cancer:
- is found in opposite sides of the prostate. The PSA can be any level and the Gleason score can range from 2 to 10; or
- cannot be felt during a digital rectal exam and cannot be seen in imaging tests. The PSA level is 20 or higher and the Gleason score can range from 2 to 10; or
- cannot be felt during a digital rectal exam and cannot be seen in imaging tests. The PSA can be any level and the Gleason score is 8 or higher.
Stage III
In stage III, cancer has spread beyond the outer layer of the prostate and may have spread to the seminal vesicles. The PSA can be any level and the Gleason score can range from 2 to 10.
Stage IV
In stage IV, the PSA can be any level and the Gleason score can range from 2 to 10. Also, cancer:
- has spread beyond the seminal vesicles to nearby tissue or organs, such as the rectum, bladder, or pelvic wall; or
- may have spread to the seminal vesicles or to nearby tissue or organs, such as the rectum, bladder, or pelvic wall. Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes; or
- has spread to distant parts of the body, which may include lymph nodes or bones. Prostate cancer often spreads to the bones.
All information was taken from the NCI (National Cancer Institute)
