PROSTATE CANCER STAGING BY TNM
When a patient is diagnosed with Prostate Cancer (PCa), a TNM stage is given based on the location(s) of the PCa.
T=tumor. The ‘T’ tells us how much PCa is in the prostate, and if it has left the prostate.
N=lymph node. The ‘N’ tells us if the PCa has invaded the lymph nodes
M=metastasis. The ‘M” tells us if the PCa has invaded distant lymph nodes, bones or visceral organs.
T1: PCa is in the prostate but it cannot be felt on exam or seen on imaging
T2: PCa is confined within the prostate.
T3: PCa has moved outside of the capsule surrounding the prostate
T4: PCa is outside of the prostate and has invaded nearly structures (bladder, rectum, pelvic wall/muscle)
N0: No PCa in the nearby lymph nodes
N1: PCa has invaded nearby lymph nodes
M0: no PCa in distant locations
M1: PCa has spread to distant lymph nodes, bones or visceral orders
