[b]Irving, TX[/b] – Prostate cancer starts out quietly and with almost no symptoms even over several years. As with every other cancer type, [b]prostate cancer can be described according to stages[/b]. Staging shows the physical location of the cancer, if or where it has spread and if it has affected other parts of the body. The doctor uses staging to determine the appropriate treatment and predict the chance of recovery. Staging is different from grading, which is used to determine how aggressive the cancer is. Grading is expressed using the Gleason score.

“The TNM staging system shows various aspects of the tumor and helps to better categorize tumors”, says Dr. Echt. “Every letter measures a certain parameter that is useful for staging.”

The stages of prostate cancer go hand-in-hand with the stages of tumor growth. These are:

• Localized –This means the tumor is only within the prostate gland. It could be either Stage I or T1 where the tumor cannot be felt during a physical exam or Stage II or T2 where the tumor can be felt, but remains within the prostate gland.

• Regional – This refers to tumors that have spread beyond the prostate capsule, which is the outer layer of the prostate gland. The tumor could even have grown to the seminal vesicles. The seminal vesicle lies behind the prostate and plays a part in the production of semen. This is Stage III prostate cancer or T3.

• Metastatic – Tumors at this level have spread to other body parts, such as lungs, lymph nodes, bladder, liver, or bones and fall under Stage IV. N+ tumors have spread to regional or pelvic lymph nodes and M+ tumors are those that have spread to other parts of the body.

“The survival rate for prostate cancer is very high compared to other forms of cancer. It progresses slowly and can therefore, be treated if caught in good time”, explains Dr. Echt.

[b]About The Prostate Seed Institute[/b]

The Prostate Seed Institute is one of the country’s leading pioneers in prostate cancer treatment including prostate seed implementation, a fast and painless procedure that effectively treats prostate cancer in its earliest stages. With a team of oncology experts and a state-of-the-art facility, the Prostate Seed Institute provides prostate cancer patients with the most comprehensive treatment available.