Prognosis of Prostate Cancer

If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you are no doubt wondering what your chances of survival are, and what your options are. You have probably made inquiries about the growth rate of your cancer, and whether it needs to be treated. You may be considering a variety of treatment options, such as seed implants, removal, or a combined approach involving several procedures. What is the best way to decide? You and your doctor will have to examine the particulars of your case, and the direction those variables typically tend to lead.

Because cancer is a systemic disease, it is not possible to determine its precise location within the prostate, or how quickly it is growing. Your doctor will not be able to say if the cancer has spread, or what the outcome will be. MRI and bone scans are not able to register very small metastatic tumors, so the only information you will truly know is what the likelihood is, what the averages indicate. Your doctor can give you a picture of your situation only in terms of how your symptoms and test results relate to those of other people.

You may be told your chances of undergoing treatment successfully as a percentage. However, the outcome is cut and dry. You will not be cured up to a certain point. Treatment will be successful or it will not. The percentages give you an indication of your likelihood, based on research and your doctor’s personal knowledge of how the disease progressed in other cases. Your PSA level is one indicator your doctor will use. Comparison of PSA levels and five year survival rates can be one way in which your doctor can help you understand the severity of your situation.

Another variable to consider is the Gleason score. Even if PSA levels are low and carry a high survival rate, a high Gleason score can indicate that the outlook is not so good. Determining a proper prognosis is a matter of taking into account as many variables as possible. Because medical studies typically only concern themselves with one or two variables, your doctor’s combined knowledge is very important. Research results must be compared with your own test results, and the doctor must make an educated guess as to the seriousness of your situation, and which treatment options are most likely to produce results. You are probably finding this a very uncomfortable idea, but this is as close to an answer as is possible.

There are certain variable which are standardly used in making this determination. PSA, Gleason score, and the stage of the cancer are all used to determine the risk level associated with prostate cancer. Low risk patients typically possess a PSA below 10, Gleason scores from 2 to 6, and Stages T1-T2a. Intermediate risk patients have PSA levels between 10 and 20, Gleason scores of 7, and Stages T2b-T2c. High risk patients exhibit PSA levels above 20, Gleason scores 8-10, and Stages T3-T4.

You need to be aware of your PSA, Gleason, and Stage. If you do not already know, ask your doctor, and keep a careful eye on these numbers. Your PSA level may fluctuate, so bear in mind the PSA level you had prior to beginning any treatment. We have put together three variables to determine three risk classifications. Low risk indicates a high survival rate with a good likelihood that treatment will result in a cure. The cancer is probably still localized. High risk is a poor prognosis I maintain that high risk patients should pursue aggressive and comprehensive treatment regimens utilizing a combination of several treatments. Patients in the intermediate risk category should be carefully tested, and must take great care when selecting the treatment option they wish to pursue.