Stage I Prostate Cancer
Stage 1 prostate cancer is the earliest and least advanced stage of the disease. At this point, the cancer is typically small, slow-growing, and confined entirely within the prostate gland. It often causes no noticeable symptoms and may even be discovered incidentally during routine screenings or tests for other conditions.
Stage 1 prostate cancer has a 5-year survival rate of nearly 100%.
Stage cT1, N0, M0 Prostate Cancer Overview
In this stage, the prostate cancer is classified as Grade Group 1, which corresponds to a Gleason score of 6 or lower, indicating a low-grade tumor. The PSA level is under 10 ng/mL, suggesting limited cancer activity.
The tumor itself cannot be felt during a physical exam or seen using imaging tools like a transrectal ultrasound. It is often discovered by chance—either during a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for another condition, or through a needle biopsy prompted by elevated PSA levels. This is known as clinical stage T1 (cT1).
At this point, the cancer has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or to any other part of the body (M0), making it a localized and highly treatable form of prostate cancer.
Stage cT2a, N0, M0 Prostate Cancer Overview
In this stage, the prostate cancer is still considered low-risk. It falls under Grade Group 1, with a Gleason score of 6 or less, and the PSA level is below 10 ng/mL.
Unlike earlier stages, the tumor in this case can be detected either by a digital rectal exam (DRE) or seen on imaging such as a transrectal ultrasound. It is limited to one half or less of one side of the prostate—either the left or the right—classified as cT2a.
The cancer has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or other areas of the body (M0), making it localized and still very treatable.
Stage pT2, N0, M0 Prostate Cancer Overview
In this stage, the cancer has been confirmed through surgery in which the entire prostate was removed. The tumor was found to be completely contained within the prostate gland, which is classified as pT2.
The cancer is categorized as Grade Group 1, with a Gleason score of 6 or less, indicating it is low-grade and less aggressive. The PSA level is under 10 ng/mL, further suggesting a favorable prognosis.
Importantly, the cancer has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or to any other part of the body (M0), making it a localized and potentially curable form of prostate cancer.