Different stages of Prostate Cancer
- Stage I: Stage 0 comprises minute tumors that affect only small portions of the body. In this stage, the PSA levels and Gleason scores are comparatively low. This stage doesn’t consist of any noticeable symptoms. DRE or Ultrasound do not help in detecting the tumor. Routine screening is the most vital method of treating cancer. Due to the well-differentiation of the cancer cells, distinguishing between the healthy and damaged cells becomes difficult. Stage I Prostate Cancer is said to have a discovery rate of about 80% and the survival rate of about 5-years or 100%. Radiotherapy is the most primary treatment that one can opt for.
- Stage II: Medical tests do not usually reveal the prostate tumor in stage II. However, Ultrasound and DRE play a vital role in detecting the aggressiveness of cancer. The PSA levels at this stage are between 10-20. The Gleason Score can start from 6 and rise to 8. Stage II cancer is classified into two parts, IIA and IIB. The tumor might or might not detect the affected regions of cancer through imaging tests. The cancer cells can, however, start growing rapidly at this stage. Although stage II cancers aren’t developed outside the prostate, their growth is rapid. Symptoms of this cancer might be difficulty in urination and bloody urinal discharge. Treatments for this stage are- Brachytherapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, external beam radiation therapy, clinical trials, etc. The survival rate of Stage II cancer is 100% or 5-years.
- Stage III: Stage III is a considerably critical cancer that spreads beyond different body parts of the prostate gland. It can reach the seminal vesicles (semen-producing gland). However, the cancer cells do not reach the rectum or bladder. The PSA levels can reach up to 20 or more. This cancer type most often comes back after the treatment. External beam therapy, radiation therapy, and radical prostatectomy are a few of the primary treatments for Stage III Prostate Cancer. Symptoms at this stage can be fatigue, bloody semen discharge, and difficulty in urination. The survival rate of Stage III cancer is almost 100% at 5-years.
- Stage IV: The last and most critical stage of Prostate Cancer is Stage IV cancer that spreads to different areas of the body, such as close-by organs, like bladder, lymph nodes, and rectum. It can moreover transfer to distant organs like liver and bone. After spreading to other body parts, this cancer is called metastatic Prostate Cancer. PSA levels and Gleason score at this stage can have any number. Surgery, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and Hormone therapy are the most fundamental treatments for curing Prostate Cancer at this stage. Bloody semen discharge, Fatigue and nausea, and erectile dysfunction are the common symptoms noticed in this stage. The survival rate at this stage is 29% at 5-years.
