How fast does prostate cancer progress?

In many cases, prostate cancer is relatively slow-growing, which means that it can take years to become large enough to be detectable, and even longer to metastasize outside the prostate. However, some cases are more aggressive and need more urgent treatment.

How long does it take prostate cancer to spread?

It can take up to 15 years for the cancer to spread from the prostate to other parts of the body (metastasis), typically the bones. In many cases, prostate cancer won't affect a man's natural life span.

What percentage of prostate cancer is aggressive?

Yet in 10 to 15 percent of cases, the cancer is aggressive and advances beyond the prostate, sometimes turning lethal.

What are the signs that prostate cancer has spread?

Prostate cancer can spread to the lymph nodes in the groin area, or to other parts of the body. The most common symptoms are swelling and pain around the area where the cancer has spread. Cancer cells can stop lymph fluid from draining away. This might lead to swelling in the legs due to fluid build up in that area.

Does prostate cancer grow fast or slow?

Prostate cancer tends to grow slowly over many years. Most men with early prostate cancer don't have changes that they notice. Signs of prostate cancer most often show up later, as the cancer grows.

The Five Stages of Prostate Cancer | Prostate Cancer Staging Guide

Does a high PSA mean cancer has spread?

In most cases, a higher PSA level indicates a poorer prostate cancer prognosis. PSA is a protein made by prostate tissue. Men with prostate cancer often have elevated PSA levels because the cancer cells make excessive amounts of this protein.

Can prostate cancer spread quickly?

Large cell prostate cancer

It is aggressive and can spread quickly to other parts of the body. Most men who have large cell prostate cancer also have common prostate cancer at the same time. And it's most common in men who've already had hormone therapy for normal prostate cancer.

What are the 5 warning signs of prostate cancer?

What is the average age a man gets prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is more likely to develop in older men and in non-Hispanic Black men. About 6 cases in 10 are diagnosed in men who are 65 or older, and it is rare in men under 40. The average age of men at diagnosis is about 66.

Can you have advanced prostate cancer with no symptoms?

Men with advanced prostate cancer may or may not have any signs of sickness. Symptoms depend on the size of new growth and where the cancer has spread in the body. With advanced disease, mainly if you have not had treatment to the prostate itself, you may have problems passing urine or see blood in your urine.

Is prostate cancer a painful death?

Many people worry about being in pain when they are dying. Some people do get pain if their prostate cancer presses on their nerves or makes their bones weak. But not everyone dying from prostate cancer has pain.

How long can prostate cancer go undetected?

Prostate cancer usually spreads very slowly. It generally takes up to 15 years for cancer to spread from the prostate to other parts of the body. But it is deadly if it goes undetected; hence, regular follow-up after the age of 60 is a must.

Can I live 20 years with prostate cancer?

Men with prostate cancer that is localized to the prostate or just nearby. These men have a high long-term survival rate for their prostate cancer. Almost all will survive their prostate cancer for longer than five years -- and well beyond for many men.

How do you know if your prostate cancer is aggressive?

PSA levels are determined by a simple blood test. The higher the number, the more likely the patient is to have prostate cancer. PSA velocity. Several studies indicate that when PSA levels increase sharply, the cancer is likely to be aggressive.

Can you feel if you have prostate cancer?

Early Signs of Prostate Cancer

There are no warning signs of early prostate cancer. You can't feel the growing tumor pushing against anything else, so there's no pain. You can have the disease for years and not know it. That's why regular prostate cancer screenings are so important.

What is a high PSA level?

PSA levels under 4 ng/ml are generally considered normal, while levels over 4 ng/ml are considered abnormal. PSA levels between 4 and 10 ng/ml indicate a risk of prostate cancer higher than normal. When the PSA level is above 10 ng/ml, risk of prostate cancer is much higher.

Is prostate cancer inherited from mother or father?

Prostate cancer seems to run in some families, which suggests that in some cases there may be an inherited or genetic factor. Still, most prostate cancers occur in men without a family history of it. Having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man's risk of developing this disease.

What is the leading cause of prostate cancer?

The underlying factor linking diet and prostate cancer is probably hormonal. Fats stimulate increased production of testosterone and other hormones, and testosterone acts to speed the growth of prostate cancer. High testosterone levels may stimulate dormant prostate cancer cells into activity.

At what PSA level should a biopsy be done?

A lower percent-free PSA means that your chance of having prostate cancer is higher and you should probably have a biopsy. Many doctors recommend a prostate biopsy for men whose percent-free PSA is 10% or less, and advise that men consider a biopsy if it is between 10% and 25%.

What are the symptoms of high PSA levels?

How serious is a Gleason score of 9?

Cancers with Gleason scores of 8 to 10 may be called poorly differentiated or high-grade. These cancers are likely to grow and spread more quickly, although a cancer with a Gleason score of 9-10 is twice as likely to grow and spread quickly as a cancer with a Gleason score of 8.

How serious is a Gleason score of 7?

A Gleason score of 7 is a medium-grade cancer, and a score of 8, 9, or 10 is a high-grade cancer. A lower-grade cancer grows more slowly and is less likely to spread than a high-grade cancer. Doctors look at the Gleason score in addition to stage to help plan treatment.

What is the highest PSA level ever recorded?

In this study, the highest PSA detected was 23,162 ng/mL.

What is the average PSA for a 70 year old?

3.5-4.5: Normal for a man 60-70 yrs. 4.5-5.5: Normal for a man 70-80 yrs.