There are two main types of staging classifications for prostate cancer. The first is the ABCD system, and the second is the TNM (Tumor, Nodes, Metastases) system.

ABCD System

Stage A (Stage I)

Tumor is confined to the prostate. It is too small to be detected by digital rectal exam or ultrasound imaging. Cancer can only be found by accident during surgery of nearby organs.

Stage B (Stage II)

Tumor is confined to the prostate. it is now detectable via digital rectal exam or ultrasound imaging.

Stage C (Stage III)

Tumor has spread into nearby tissues or organs.

Stage D (Stage IV)

Tumor has spread into other parts of the body.

TMN System

Stage T1

Tumor is microscopic and confined to prostate but is undetectable by a digital rectal exam (DRE) or by ultrasound. Usually discovered by PSA tests or biopsies.

Stage T2

Tumor is confined to prostate and can be detected by DRE or ultrasound.

Stage T3

Tumor has spread to tissue adjacent to the prostate or to the seminal vesicles.

Stage T4

Tumor has spread to organs near the prostate, such as the bladder.

Stage N0

Cancer has not spread to pelvic lymph nodes.

Stage N1

Cancer has spread to pelvic lymph nodes.

Stage M0

Cancer has not spread to distant organs.

Stage M1

Cancer has spread to distant organs (metastasis).

Gleason Score

Gleason score is often used to judge how likely the prostate cancer will spread. Gleason score ranges from 2 to 10, with 2 being the least likely to spread and 10 being the most likely to spread. Points are assigned based on the shape of the cancerous prostate cancer cells.

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