Cancer Information

Home Common Types of Cancers Prostate Cancer Symptoms and staging Diagnosis & Treatment Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer Most cases of prostate cancer are usually discovered during a routine digital rectal examination (DRE). Symptoms are often similar to those of benign prostatic hyperplasia and include- Blood in the urine or semen Frequent urination, especially at night Inability to urinate Nagging pain or stiffness in the back, hips, upper thighs, or pelvis Painful ejaculation Pain or burning during urination (dysuria) Weak or interrupted urinary flow Staging of Prostate Cancer: TNM System - The TNM (tumor, node, metastases)  Primary tumor (T): TX  Tumor cannot be assessed  T0  No evidence of primary tumor  T1  Clinically not palpable or visible by imaging  T1a  Found incidental to other surgery; present in 5% or less of tissue  T1b  Found incidental to other surgery; present in 5% or more of tissue  T1c  Identified by needle biopsy  T2  Tumor confined within prostate  T2a  Involving half a lobe or less of prostate  T2b  Involving half a lobe  T2c  Involving both lobes  T3  Tumor extends through prostate capsule  T3a  Extends through one lobe  T3b  Extends through both lobes  T3c  Extends into seminal vesicles  T4  Involves structures other than seminal vesicles  T4a  Invades bladder neck, external sphincter, or rectum  T4b  Invades muscles and/or pelvic wall  Regional Lymph Nodes (N): NX  Nodes cannot be assessed  N0  No regional node metastasis  N1  Single node metastasis, 2 centimeters (cm) or less at largest point N2  Single node metastasis, 2 cm to 5 cm at largest point, or multiple nodes, no larger than 5 cm at largest point  N3  Metastasis larger than 5 cm in any node  Distant Metastasis (M) : MX  Metastasis cannot be assessed  M0  No distant metastasis  M1  Distant metastasis  M1a  Distant lymph node(s) involved  M1b  Bone(s) involved  M1c  Other site(s) involved