| Once a patient is diagnosed with | | | | prostate gland may be in order, though |
| prostate cancer, it is then important | | | | it will not show the extent of the |
| that information regarding the extent of | | | | cancer spread. The pathologic stage is |
| the spread is determined, and how much | | | | determined after surgery and will enable |
| it has affected the gland. Determining | | | | one to know the severity of the cancer - |
| this is what is called prostate cancer | | | | also, one will be able to have a better |
| staging. Prostate cancer staging | | | | impression on how it might fair for him |
| involves categorizing the disease in | | | | in the future. |
| specific classification in order to | | | | Prostate cancer staging systems, |
| derive the appropriate approach for your | | | | whichever is used, provide a general |
| treatment. | | | | guideline on what to expect at each |
| Prostate cancer staging conventionally | | | | particular level. It describes the |
| was done by classifying the stages as | | | | condition of the prostate and the cancer |
| Stages A, B, C and D. Stages A and B | | | | cells in it, the treatment that may work |
| may be curable, and in both cases, the | | | | for your particular stage, and the |
| cancer is localized within the gland. | | | | prognosis for your case. |
| In this type of prostate cancer staging, | | | | With the valuable information it |
| stage C has the cancer spreading beyond | | | | provides, prostate cancer staging |
| the prostate but has not reached the | | | | systems will be a useful tool for both |
| lymph nodes. Some in this stage have | | | | patients and doctors alike. Patients |
| some hope of being cured. In stage D, | | | | will be able to understand their current |
| the cancer has already reached the lymph | | | | situation and the specific status of |
| nodes, bones and some other areas. | | | | their prostate. Doctors will be able to |
| Though the prostate cancer in this stage | | | | rely on them to come up with the |
| may no longer be curable, it can be | | | | suitable approach for the patients they |
| treated for purposes of slowing its | | | | are treating. |
| effect down. | | | | Without prostate cancer staging systems, |
| New prostate cancer staging systems now | | | | there would not be any means of putting |
| use the TNM notation. T means tumor, N | | | | meaning of the level and severity of the |
| means Nodes (lymph nodes), and M means | | | | cancer experienced by the patient - no |
| metastasized to other body organs. | | | | reference for appropriate approach in |
| For this prostate cancer staging system, | | | | treating prostate cancer. A prostate |
| the T classification has two types: a.) | | | | cancer staging system has continued to |
| clinical stage, and b.) pathologic | | | | be an efficient tool and basis for one's |
| stage. The clinical stage is important | | | | treatment & prognosis. |
| in determining whether removal of the | | | | |