Prostate cancer, the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men after skin cancer, often progresses slowly. This is why diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer are often delayed. Another reason for this is that it is less aggressive than most other types of cancer. So symptoms do not show up early. Doctors generally diagnose prostate cancer through the staging process. This helps to ascertain the appropriate treatments required. Listed below are the various stages of prostate cancer.

1. Stage 1
This is the initial and least advanced stage of prostate cancer. The tumors at this stage are quite small. These have not yet spread to the prostate gland. At this stage, the 5-year survival rate is nearly 100 percent. So, it is essential to have a complete diagnosis during stage 1. At this stage, the most common form of treatment is active monitoring. This involves monitoring the tumors periodically to understand how far they have spread and know about further treatment required. Some also go through radical prostatectomy that involves removing the prostate gland through surgery.

2. Stage 2
At this stage, the cancer is still restricted to the prostate area. It has not yet spread to the other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes. At this stage, diagnosis can be difficult, as a doctor will not feel the tumor developing during a routine prostate examination or screening. However, the tumors are visible during ultrasound imaging. Despite the delayed diagnosis, the 5-year survival rate at this stage is still 100 percent. In addition, stage 2 is further divided into two sub-stages: 2B and 2C. Active monitoring is usually followed during the initial stage 2 and stage 2B. In stage 2C, the treatment usually involves surgically removing the prostate gland and the surrounding lymph nodes. A combination of hormone and radiation therapy is also recommended in some instances.

3. Stage 3
In this stage, the tumor may or may not have spread to the nearby lymph nodes and tissues. This varies on a case-to-case basis. If the tumors have not spread to the other parts, the 5-year survival rate at stage 3 is close to 100 percent. This stage is divided into three subgroups, depending on how far the tumors have spread: 3A, 3B, and 3C. At this stage, active monitoring doesn’t work, as it is a reasonably advanced stage. A combination of treatments is usually effective; these include hormone therapy, brachytherapy, external beam therapy, and radical prostatectomy.

4. Stage 4
This is the most advanced stage of prostate cancer. It is divided into two subgroups: 4A and 4B. Stage 4A is diagnosed when the tumors have spread to only the nearby lymph nodes. When cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes and other distant bones and organs, stage 4B is diagnosed. Since the tumors have spread outside the prostate gland and distant organs, the 5-year survival rate is 30 percent. A combination of therapies and treatments is usually recommended at this stage: hormone therapy, chemotherapy, external beam radiation, radiation to target the bones, and prostate removal surgery.