Based on the results of prostatic biopsy, digital rectal exploration and magnetic resonance imaging, physicians are able to establish the magnitude of prostate cancer and its spread in neighboring tissues (metastasis). Size and diffusion represent two fundamental parameters for deciding the gravity stage of the malignant neoplasm in question; in other words, they serve the doctor to determine how serious the condition is.
According to this tumor classification system, there are 4 different stages of gravity, distinct from each other by the first four Roman numerals.
Stage I identifies the smallest tumor masses, confined to a very specific site of the prostate gland.
Stage II identifies tumor masses slightly larger than the previous ones, but still confined within the prostate.
Stage III identifies tumor masses that have gone beyond the prostate and have invaded neighboring anatomical structures, such as the seminal vesicles. Despite this, however, the lymph nodes have not yet been affected.
Stage IV identifies tumor masses that have also spread to other parts of the body, both due to contiguity (for example in the bladder) and through the lymphatic network (for example in the lungs, bones, etc.).
