Survival factors depend on prostate cancer survival rate such as age, overall health, and wellbeing and how far the cancer has developed. Healthcare professionals use two types of system to signify the current stage of the prostate cancer and can be used to indicate treatment and calculate life expectancy.
Gleason score staging
Once you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer the Gleason score ultimately measures and assesses the aggressive nature of a tumour and its growth rate, adding together the two most common cell types within a tumour and scoring them from one to five. Staging and grading converts the size and scope of cancer, and the capacity to grow both within and beyond the prostate, with a ‘TNM’ score.
TNM, which stands for Tumour, Node, and Metastasis, is commonly used. The T is categorised into four categories regarding the size and extent the tumour has developed in the prostate gland;
T1 | The tumour cannot be felt during a rectal examination or seen on imaging equipment. |
T2 | The tumour can be felt and seen but is confined to the prostate gland. |
T3 | The tumour has started to spread outside of the prostate gland to surrounding tissue. |
T4 | The tumour has spread outside the prostate to surrounding tissue and organs such as the bladder or rectum. |
N stage | Denotes whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, 0=No, 1=Yes. |
M stage | Denotes Metastasis; whether the cancer has spread to other organs in the body such as the liver, bowel, or lungs. 0=No, 1=Yes. |
The numerical stages (0-4) of prostate cancer are a combination of all the TNM factors. Your healthcare consultant will diagnose what stage you’re currently indicating.
What is the typical life expectancy of prostate cancer patients?
DO REMEMBER, life expectancy depends on several individual factors.
Typical Stage 4 Survival Rate
Stage 4 prostate cancer is known as “advanced prostate cancer” and specifies the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as your lymph nodes or bones. The five-year survival rate for stage 4 prostate cancer patients is 30%. This means that 30% of men with stage four are still alive after five years. Current treatment for stage 4 prostate cancer includes chemo and radiation therapy, hormone therapy and surgery. Newer treatments include highly targeted treatment and immunotherapy.
Typical Stage 3 Survival Rate
Patients with stage 3 prostate cancer do have cancer that has spread outside the prostate gland but has not yet affected the lymph nodes or organs further away from the prostate. The five-year survival rate for men with stage 3 prostate cancer is 90%. This means 90% of men diagnosed with stage 3 are still alive five years. Typical treatment for stage three prostate cancer includes chemotherapy and radiation therapy, hormone therapy and surgery or often a combination of treatments. Note, life expectancy is not an exact science and very much depends on individual circumstances.
Typical Stage 2 Survival Rate
Men with stage 2 prostate cancer have cancer that is confined to the prostate gland itself and has not spread to the lymph nodes or other organs away from the prostate. The five-year survival rate for patients with stage 2 prostate cancer is 100%. This means that nearly all men diagnosed with this stage 2 are still alive five years.
Treatment may include a combination of active monitoring (aka active surveillance), radiotherapy or surgery.
Typical Stage 1 Survival Rate
Men with stage 1 prostate cancer should take comfort from the fact their cancer has been detected early and this is a positive fact for prognosis. The five-year survival rate for men with stage 1 prostate cancer is 100%. This means 100% of men diagnosed at this stage of the disease are alive after five years. Treatment for stage 1 prostate cancer may include active surveillance, radiotherapy and possible targeted surgery.
Maintaining physical and mental health are key to a positive clinical outcome. Stay active and eat a healthy balanced diet. It is important to stick to your treatment plan advised by your healthcare provider and see if there is a support group in your area; this can be invaluable in maintaining a positive attitude and signposting further help.
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