Prostate Cancer Risk Groups
Have You Determined Your Risk Group?
Prostate Cancer Risk Group is the most common way that doctors battling prostate cancer use to classify the cancer and its progression. Each risk group identifies the current state of the cancer at the cell level, the aggressiveness of the cancer, the progression of the cancer within the prostate, outside the prostate, to other organs or to distant parts of the body. Treatment options become clearer for the patient, once the prostate cancer risk group is understood. For patients classified as Low Risk, the cancer has been discovered early, which allows for many successful treatment options. For patients classified as Intermediate or High Risk, the cancer has progressed, treatment decisions become more complicated and combinations of treatments maybe recommended to increase the odds for a successful outcome.
Prostate Cancer Risk Group is the most common way that doctors battling prostate cancer use to classify the cancer and its progression. Each risk group identifies the current state of the cancer at the cell level, the aggressiveness of the cancer, the progression of the cancer within the prostate, outside the prostate, to other organs or to distant parts of the body. Treatment options become clearer for the patient, once the prostate cancer risk group is understood. For patients classified as Low Risk, the cancer has been discovered early, which allows for many successful treatment options. For patients classified as Intermediate or High Risk, the cancer has progressed, treatment decisions become more complicated and combinations of treatments maybe recommended to increase the odds for a successful outcome.
What Three Things Determine Your Risk Group?
Your Prostate Specific Antigen or PSA
PSA results are derived from a recent blood test. PSA is produced in the blood by prostate cells, but production is accelerated when cells become cancerous. As the blood test is simple to administer, it is usually the first sign of prostate cancer. To discover out what levels are normal, learn more about PSA.
Your Prostate Cancer Stage
Stage is determined by analysis of one or multiple tests. The stage of your cancer describes the progression within and beyond your prostate. Early prostate cancer is usually localized or confined to the prostate. As the cancer grows, the cancer may begin penetrate the prostate capsule, invading local organs then to distant parts of the body.
Your Gleason Score
Gleason score is determined by taking multiple samples during a biopsy of the prostate. The usual number of biopsy specimens obtained is around 10 to 12. Analysis of these samples by a pathologist using a grading system called the Gleason system determines the Gleason score, which in turn helps determine your risk group. The higher your Gleason score, the higher your risk group.
Is Your Prostate Cancer Risk Group: Low, Intermediate or High?
Compare Prostate Cancer Treatments
Treatment outcomes show how many patients remain prostate cancer free, and for how many years following treatment. These comparisons are done by patient Risk Group. Patients with prostate cancer that has been detected early, fall into the low risk group. Those with more advanced cancer will fall into intermediate or high risk groups of prostate cancer.
Compare Treatments by Selecting Risk Group
Low Risk
PSA less than 10
and
Gleason Score less than 7
and
Clinical Stage is T1c to T2a
Intermediate Risk
PSA greater than 10 less than 20
or
Gleason Score is 7
or
Clinical Stage is T2b
High Risk
PSA greater than 20
or
Gleason Score is 8 to 10
or
Clinical Stage is T2c to T3c
Prostate Cancer Study
R. Alex Hsi, M.D. describes a tool to compare the effectiveness of different treatments for men diagnosed with prostate cancer. This tool is based on a study performed by the Prostate Cancer Results Study Group, who analyzed the treatment outcomes of over 100,000 patients across the globe, following these patients for up to 15 years. DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY.
LEARN TO FIGHT PROSTATE CANCER.
Top Ten Steps in Your Fight Against Prostate Cancer
Learn the Top Ten Steps, a guide through knowledge about the prostate, prostate cancer, diagnosis and treatment. Watch our video, introducing Edward Weber, MD. and hear his advice to men just diagnosed with prostate cancer. Get expert advice for your fight against Prostate Cancer.
Prostate Cancer Surgery or Radiation ???
How do you decide which treatment is best? Here is a study, reporting treatment results for over 119 thousand patients. Testing over 15 years after treatment shows who had cancer recurrence and who remained prostate cancer free. See which course of therapy worked best for low to high risk patients. Get your copy of the study to discuss with your family and Doctor. Which treatment is best for you?
Help other men make better treatment decisions.
A $25 donation today enables the Foundation to continue the work of educating men and their loved ones about prostate cancer.. Prostate Cancer Free is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, so your donation is tax deductible. Please Donate!