Determining Prostate Cancer Stages in Northern California

Doctors determine the stage (or extent) of your prostate cancer when determining your overall diagnosis. Your doctor at Dignity Health North State will develop your personalized treatment plan based on the stage of your cancer.

The stage of your prostate cancer is determined by the results of tests, such as PSA (prostate specific antigen) and CT scans, and whether or not the cancer cells have spread (metastasized) to other organs or the lymph nodes.

Dignity Health North State provides advanced diagnostics to help determine your prostate cancer stage in the Northern California. To learn more about prostate cancer by stage, Find a Doctor and schedule an appointment.

Prostate Cancer Stages

There are four stages of prostate cancer. Stage one indicates the least extensive level disease.

Stage I Prostate Cancer

Stage I cancer has not moved beyond the prostate gland. In stage I, tumors are small and at least half of the gland is still healthy. Generally, early stage tumors have a low PSA level and a low Gleason score. Treatment strategies include watchful waiting, surgery, and radiation.

Stage II Prostate Cancer

In stage II, cancer may be present in both lobes, but it remains only in the prostate gland. Gleason scores in these tumors can range from low to high, and PSA levels are higher than stage I. Because the cancer is confined to the prostate, surgery and radiation are still effective treatments options. If the tumor is slow-growing, watchful waiting is common.

Stage III Prostate Cancer

Stage III cancers have spread from the prostate to nearby glands that help transport semen (seminal vesicles). However, nearby lymph nodes and distant body sites are unaffected. Standard treatments include surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy.

Stage IV Prostate Cancer

In stage IV, cancer has spread to nearby organs, lymph nodes, bones, or distant body sites. At this advanced stage, treatment usually consists of a combination of radiation, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy.

Treating Prostate Cancer at Dignity Health North State

Cancer screening can help your doctor find prostate cancer in its early stages, before symptoms have developed and when it is most easily treated. Your treatment options will depend on the stage of your cancer, as well as the aggressiveness of tumor growth, and your overall health. Your doctor at Dignity Health will discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options with you and create a personalized treatment plan based on your needs.