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Prostate Cancer

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Prostate Cancer
(Free Handout)

Staging

The physician "stages" the tumor based on its size, the character of its cells, and the extent of metastasis. Two systems commonly are used for staging prostate cancer: the Jewett-Whitmore system and the TNM (tumor, node, metastases) system.

Jewett-Whitmore system
In the Jewett-Whitmore system, prostate cancer is classified first as stage A, B, C, or D. Stages A and B cancers are considered curable. Stages C and D are treatable, but their prognoses are discouaging. A number is then assigned to describe specific conditions within each stage. For example, a tumor classified as stage B1 is a single cancerous nodule confined to one lobe of the prostate.

Click to enlarge the image.	Stage A Very early and without symptoms; cancer cells confined to the prostate A1 Well differentiated and slightly abnormal cancer cells A2Moderately or poorly differentiated and abnormal cancer cells in several locations within the prostate	Click to enlarge the image.	Stage B Confined to the prostate, but palpable (detectable by digital rectal exam) and/or detectable by elevated PSA B0Confined to the prostate, nonpalpable; PSA elevated B1Single cancerous nodule in one lobe of the prostate B2Extensive, involvment in one or both prostate lobes
Click to enlarge image.	Stage C Cancer cells found outside the prostate capsule (membrane covering the prostate); spread confined to surrounding tissues and/or seminal vesicles C1Extends outside the prostate capsule C2Bladder or urethral obstruction	Click to enlarge image.	Stage D Metastasis (spread) to regional lymph nodes, or to distant bones, organs (e.g., liver, lungs), and/or other tissues D0 Metastatic, clinically localized, and showing elevated blood PAP levels D1 Regional lymph nodes involved D2 Distant lymph nodes, bones, or organs involve D3 Metastatic disease after treatment

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TNM System »

Physician-developed and -monitored.
Original Date of Publication: 10 Jun 1998
Reviewed by: Stanley J. Swierzewski, III, M.D.
Last Reviewed: 17 Oct 2007

Prostate Cancer, Staging reprinted with permission from urologychannel.com
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