Prostate Cancer Stages: What They Mean and How the Disease Progresses

Understanding Prostate Cancer Staging

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men. When you’re diagnosed, understanding the stage of prostate cancer is essential to determining your treatment options and long-term outlook.

Staging considers key factors such as:

• PSA level (Prostate-Specific Antigen)
• Gleason score or grade group (tumor aggressiveness)
• Tumor size and spread (T-stage)
• Whether cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other organs (M-stage)

Let’s break down what each prostate cancer stage means and how it impacts treatment.

Stage 1: Early and Localized

At this stage, cancer is small and only located in the prostate. It's often discovered incidentally through a biopsy or during treatment for another condition.

• PSA level: Under 10 ng/mL
• Gleason score: 6 or lower
• Cancer location: Confined to the prostate
• Symptoms: Typically none

Survival rate: Nearly 100%
Treatment: Often managed with active surveillance—monitoring the cancer with regular tests to avoid unnecessary treatment.

Stage 2: Localized but More Advanced

Cancer is still confined to the prostate but may be detected during a physical exam or show up on imaging.

• PSA level: Between 10–20 ng/mL
• Gleason score: 6–7
• Cancer location: Still within the prostate

Survival rate: Nearly 100%
Treatment Options:

• Surgery (radical prostatectomy)
• Radiation therapy (external beam or brachytherapy)
• Hormone therapy (in certain cases)

Stage 3: Regional Spread

Cancer may have begun to spread outside the prostate to nearby tissues like the seminal vesicles but hasn’t reached distant organs.

• PSA level: Any level
• Gleason score: 7 or higher
• Cancer location: May affect surrounding tissue

Survival rate: Still very high if treated
Treatment Options:

• Combination of hormone therapy and radiation
• Radical prostatectomy with lymph node removal
• Post-surgical radiation or hormone therapy

Active surveillance is not typically recommended at this stage.

Stage 4: Distant Spread (Metastatic)

This is the most advanced stage, where cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes, bones, or other organs like the liver or lungs.

• PSA level & Gleason score: Can vary widely
• Cancer location: Beyond the prostate

Survival rate: Drops to around 30% at 5 years if spread to distant organs
Treatment Options:

• Hormone therapy
• Chemotherapy
• External beam radiation (especially for bone pain)
• Surgery in select cases

Why Early Detection Matters

The earlier prostate cancer is found, the better the outcome. Most men diagnosed in stages 1–3 respond well to treatment and have a high chance of survival. Regular screenings, including PSA tests and digital rectal exams, can catch prostate cancer before it spreads.

Expert Prostate Cancer Care at BASS Medical Group

At BASS Medical Group, our expert urologists and cancer care team use the latest techniques and technologies to provide:

• Early detection and PSA testing
• Advanced imaging and biopsies
• Minimally invasive prostate surgery
• Personalized treatment plans

We focus on precision, reduced side effects, and faster recovery so you can return to life sooner.

Schedule a consultation today to speak with a prostate cancer specialist.