Introduction
Prostate cancer is also known as prostate carcinoma. It is one of the most common cancers in men. In Germany about 60 thousand new cases are reported every year.
The average age of the disease is 70 years. Whereby 3 out of 100 men suffering from prostate cancer die of the disease. Overall, however, prostate cancer is one of the more slowly growing tumors, so that treatment can be carefully planned.
How many stages are there in prostate cancer?
The severity of prostate cancer is divided into 4 stages, with 1 being the initial stage and 4 the most advanced. The classification is based on the TNM classification, which can be made after detailed diagnostics. The results of the digital rectal examination, PSA level, biopsy and other examinations (MRI, ultrasound, CT, PET scan, etc.) are collected and the tumor is classified and assigned to a stage. This is often done by so-called tumor conferences or tumor boards, in which doctors from various disciplines advise on the severity of the disease and treatment options.
How are the stadiums classified?
Prostate cancer can be classified according to clinical classification or UICC stage (1 to 4). Both classifications are based on the TNM classification. For example, T1aN0M0 would be the most harmless and T4N1M1 the worst.
Clinically, a distinction can be made between low, medium and high risk profiles depending on the course of the disease and the speed of tumor growth. The different classifications partly overlap. Internationally, the TNM classification is the most important.
- T Describes the extent of the tumor, whereby the letters a-c are used to narrow it down,
- Nob lymph nodes are affected and
- Stands for distant metastases, where a-c limits the location of the metastasis.
- Localized prostate carcinoma,
- Locally advanced prostate cancer and
- The metastatic prostate carcinoma distinguish.
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