Prostate Cancer

Home » Prostate Cancer » Staging

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

TNM System
The TNM (tumor, node, metastases) system stages are similar to those of the Jewett-Whitmore system, but with more specific alphanumeric subcategories.

Primary tumor (T)

Regional Lymph Nodes (N)

Distant Metastasis (M)

Prostate Cancer, Staging reprinted with permission from urologychannel.com
© 1998-2008 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Prostate Cancer Resources

	Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Your Cancer The more knowledge you have, the easier it is to make decisions about your cancer treatment. Print this free handout to take with you on your next office visit.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Join Our Prostate Cancer Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted. In honor of National Cancer Survivors Day on June 1, 2008, we asked you to share your stories about surviving cancer. Read the inspiring stories we received or share your survival story and help others in the fight against cancer.
Advertising Disclaimer To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer