What are the different stages of prostate cancer and their characteristics?

Prostate cancer staging helps doctors understand how far the cancer has spread and plan treatment.

Stages of Prostate Cancer:

1. Stage I: The cancer is small and only in the prostate. It usually grows very slowly.

2. Stage II: The cancer is larger and may be in both sides of the prostate but hasn't spread outside it.

3. Stage III: The cancer has started to spread outside the prostate to nearby tissues.

4. Stage IV: The cancer has spread to other parts of the body, like the bladder, rectum, bones, or lymph nodes.

Understanding these stages helps doctors choose the best treatment options and predict how the cancer might behave. Early stages often have more treatment options and a better outlook.