Prostate Cancer Staging Provides Answers About Progression And Helps Define Treatment
When staging is determined for any type of cancer the results indicate the next course of treatment. It also helps to establish a prognosis. Prostate cancer staging begins with the initial medical history and further testing. A digital rectal exam is performed in order to determine the location of the cancer. Additionally, the prostate specific antigen level blood test is completed. The Gleason score is determined from the tissue of the prostate. All three results determine the progression of prostate cancer. With early detection it may be possible to get control of the cancer before it begins to spread. Stages of prostate cancer are from Stage I to Stage IV. The first stage is when the cancer has been found to be located only in the prostate. The further progressed the disease the further stage it moves to. Prostate cancer Stages I and II indicate that the cancer has not left the prostate area. Stage III means that while the cancer is starting to spread it has not gone to the lymph nodes. It is still within the prostate plus the seminal vesicles. Stage IV means that the prostate cancer has spread as close as the lymph nodes or on to other areas of the body. Prostate cancer staging is determined by continual testing. While it is important to complete testing and to determine how prostate cancer is progressing it is also important not to focus on the numbers. Prostate cancer staging provides doctors and patients with information needed regarding treatment options. There have been many prostate cancer patients who have defied the numbers and have lived long, happy lives. Working together with the doctors patients can get treatments and tools to help with coping with cancer. It does not have to mean that life has reached an end - just a detour. Containing prostate cancer so that it does not do any distant spreading throughout the body is the focus. With continued testing and treatments the chances of a minimal five year survival are good. Many have surpassed this. Taking the necessary detours of treatments can allow for many years of normal living. Prostate cancer staging is a set of numbers that serve a purpose. They provide answers and help patients and doctors to have realistic expectations. With further research it is just a matter of time before more answers and solutions are found for prostate cancer. Partnering with doctors and even participating in clinical trials may offer more hope to cancer patients.
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