Mobile Image
Image
Breadcrumb

Home

Cancer

Prostate

Heading

Get the bigger picture on prostate cancer.

Body
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. About 1 in 8 men in the US will be diagnosed during their lifetime—but each diagnosis can bring personal questions about treatment decisions, possible side effects, and what the future may look like. Learning how prostate cancer is diagnosed, staged, and treated can help you understand your options and prepare for conversations with your doctor.
Page Section Link

On this page

Diagnosis and what to expect

Explore treatment types

Ways to work with your care team
Living with cancer

image
image mobile
partner logo
content

Diagnosis and what to expect

See how doctors diagnose prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer often develops without symptoms early on. Some people first learn about prostate cancer through routine screening tests, like a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.

If results suggest cancer, a urologist may perform a prostate biopsy to confirm a diagnosis. Imaging tests can also be used to help show whether cancer is limited to the prostate or has spread beyond it.

id
diagnosis-and-what-to-expect
list

PSA test

A PSA test is a blood test that measures PSA levels in your body. Levels below about 4.0 ng/mL are often considered within a typical range, though this can vary based on age and other factors. Higher-than-expected results may lead to additional testing to learn more.

list

Biopsy

During a biopsy, a urologist removes small samples of tissue from the prostate using a thin needle. The samples are examined in a laboratory under a microscope to check for cancer cells. Imaging tests such as ultrasound or MRI may be used during diagnosis to help guide next steps.

list

Biomarker testing

Biomarkers are signals in cancer cells that can show how cancer may change, grow or respond to treatment. Biomarker testing may be done at the same time as a biopsy.

content

Have you asked about biomarker testing?

Biomarker testing can help your care team design a treatment plan tailored to you. We’ll help you build a discussion guide you can take to your next visit.

Get started

Take a deeper look at biomarkers

media
https://pfizerforallcomna-main-page.web.pfizer/assets/videos/dna-strand-rotated-normal.mp4
relief-media
https://pfizerforallcomna-main-page.web.pfizer/assets/videos/relief-mode/00-render-rotation-relief.mp4
poster
relief-poster
controls
false
autoplay
true
loop
true
no-track-video
true
ratio
1:1
content

Not all prostate cancer types are the same.

Once diagnosed, doctors look at where the cancer started and certain features to determine the type. Knowing the specific type can help guide treatment decisions and next steps.

The most common type of prostate cancer is adenocarcinoma, but there are other less common types as well.

card

Adenocarcinoma

Most prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas. They begin in the prostate’s gland cells, which make fluid that becomes part of semen.

Because this is the most common type of prostate cancer, much of what you may read about prostate cancer refers to adenocarcinoma.

card

Other types of prostate cancer

  • Small cell carcinomas
  • Neuroendocrine tumors
  • Transitional cell carcinomas
  • Sarcomas

These less common prostate cancer types may behave differently than adenocarcinoma and may be treated differently.

content

Understand prostate cancer stages.

A stage defines how far the cancer has grown or spread, from early-stage to more advanced. Most prostate cancers don’t spread to other areas of the body.

The TNM system helps determine the stage. It looks at tumor size (T), whether cancer is in lymph nodes (N), and whether it has spread to other parts of the body, or metastasized (M).

Doctors may also consider PSA level and Gleason score. The Gleason score describes how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope and can help show how quickly the cancer may grow. Together, these factors help support treatment planning.

Knowing the stage, PSA level, and Gleason score helps guide treatment decisions.

card

Stage 1

Cancer is found only in the prostate and has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

card

Stage 2

Cancer is still only in the prostate, but may be larger or growing more quickly than earlier-stage disease.

card

Stage 3

Cancer has spread outside the prostate to nearby tissues, but not to distant parts of the body.

card

Stage 4

Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or to other parts of the body, such as bones or other organs.

content

Explore treatment types

There’s more than one way to treat prostate cancer.

Your prostate cancer treatment plan depends on several factors, including:

  • The stage of your cancer
  • Your PSA level and Gleason score
  • Your overall health
  • Your age

Your preferences and goals for treatment

Knowing about your options can help you have informed conversations with your doctor and take an active role in your care.

Remember to ask about the side effects, risks, and benefits of any cancer treatment.

card

Active surveillance

Active surveillance is a common first approach for some people with prostate cancer. Instead of starting treatment right away, doctors may recommend closely monitoring the cancer over time.

This approach is often used when the cancer is growing slowly and not causing harm. Monitoring helps doctors watch for changes and decide if treatment is needed later. It may also help people avoid treatment side effects unless they become necessary.

card

Surgery

Surgery may be one option for treating prostate cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate.

One common type of surgery is called a prostatectomy, which removes the prostate gland and sometimes nearby lymph nodes to check whether cancer has spread.

card

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. It is often used after surgery to lower the risk of the cancer coming back. Different radiation techniques may be used depending on a person’s treatment plan.

In some cases, radiation may be delivered internally using small radioactive “seeds” placed inside the prostate. Over time, the radiation fades, and the seeds that remain in the prostate are harmless.

card

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy, or chemo, uses a combination of two or three powerful medications to attack and stop cancer cells from growing. It can also kill some healthy cells, which is why people may experience side effects, like hair loss. Typically a fluid delivered into a vein (IV), it may also be given as an injection or pills.

card

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy lowers the level of male hormones in the body or blocks their effects on prostate cancer cells.

Prostate cancer cells often rely on these hormones, called androgens, to grow. Hormone therapy can help slow the growth of the cancer or shrink tumors.

Hormone therapy may be used on its own or combined with other treatments, depending on the stage of the cancer and your treatment plan.

card

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy is designed to act on specific features of cancer cells, such as proteins or gene changes identified through biomarker testing, although it can also affect some normal cells. It’s also called personalized or individualized therapy.

Targeted therapy can be given as a pill, infusion (IV), or injection.

card

Clinical trials

If available treatments aren’t a fit for your particular cancer, participating in a clinical trial may be right for your situation. Clinical trials study the safety and efficacy of potential new medicines, including cancer treatments. Your doctor can tell you about the benefits and risks, and whether taking part in a clinical trial is right for you.

Explore clinical trials

id
explore-treatment-types
content

Ways to work with your care team

From questions to clarity, your doctor can help.

Diagnosis, testing, and treatment types can bring lots of questions. We can help prepare you to get the most out of your conversations.

Get ready

media
https://pfizerforallcomna-main-page.web.pfizer/assets/videos/poc/media_18283ed0c96fc84bc8de2af11fefc7a402b161542.mp4
relief-media
https://pfizerforallcomna-main-page.web.pfizer/assets/videos/poc/media_13e1de3907220cb56fc44e2a3ab7db5d3f25ead6a.mp4
poster
relief-poster
controls
false
loop
true
autoplay
true
no-track-video
true
ratio
1:1
id
ways-to-work-with-your-care-team
question
Unsure what to ask? Let’s get you started.
option1
Diagnosis
option2
Treatment
option3
Support
answer1

Get answers about your diagnosis.

  • What type of cancer do I have?
  • Has it spread or grown?
  • What stage is my cancer?

Get more diagnosis questions

answer2

Talk about your treatment plan.

  • What types of treatment are used for my cancer?
  • If biomarker testing was done, how do the results impact my treatment plan?
  • What are the goals of my treatment plan?

Get more treatment questions

answer3

Ask about support and resources.

  • What support services are available?
  • Who can help me navigate care and next steps?
  • Who on my care team can I reach out to when I have questions?

Get more support questions

image
image mobile
partner logo
content

We’re committed to helping you afford your Pfizer prescriptions.

From co-pay cards to help navigating insurance approvals, we’ll guide you to the right support. And if you’re eligible for our programs, we’ll help you get the Pfizer medicines you need.

buttons
Explore ways to save
image
Image mobile
partner logo
content

You could help advance a breakthrough.

Clinical trials study the safety and efficacy of potential new medicines, including cancer treatments.

buttons
Explore clinical trials
content

Living with cancer

Get a little inspiration.

Card(quote)

Fear and over-analysis can lead to doing nothing. Don’t let fear stop you from moving forward.”

Marc

Actual patient with cancer

Card(quote)

When I'm playing music, my mind is occupied with what I'm doing, so it can't be occupied with thinking about my cancer.”

Billy

Actual patient with cancer

id
living-with-cancer
content

Information to support you along the way.

card

Ways to support your bone health when living with prostate cancer

Read now

card

Managing fatigue when you’re living with prostate cancer

Read now

card

Ways to look after your heart health when living with prostate cancer

Read now

card

PSA testing for prostate cancer

Read now

card

Marc’s story: Knowledge conquers fear

Read now

card

Billy’s story: Making every note count

Read now

content

Still have questions?

card

What are targeted therapies?

Targeted therapies are designed to act on specific features of cancer cells, such as proteins or gene changes identified through biomarker testing, although they can also affect some normal cells.

Find out more about biomarker testing

card

What can I do if I’m having trouble affording my medicine?

Managing treatment costs and paying for your medicine can be overwhelming. We’ve got resources on how to help manage costs and information on where you may be able to find financial support for Pfizer medications.

Get help navigating costs

card

Can I still go to work if I’m getting cancer treatment?

About half of people living with cancer are at an age where they’re still working. If you’re one of them, you may be wondering about how to talk to your co-workers about what you’re going through, what you need, and your ability to do your job. We’ve got you covered.

Communicating what you need at work

Getting back to work after treatment

card

Are there communities and advocacy groups I can join?

There are advocacy support resources available for people affected by prostate cancer. These resources can help you connect with others, explore support programs, and find guidance throughout your experience.

Get connected

card

Do race and ethnicity affect prostate cancer risk?

The outlook for a prostate cancer diagnosis is different among some racial and ethnic groups.

  • Survival rates for Black men are worse than than those for White men, despite having similar diagnosis rates
  • Hispanic men are underrepresented in clinical trials for prostate cancer treatments, leading to gaps in care for this group
  • Environmental stress, including neighborhood disadvantage, contributes to potentially worse outcomes for Black men
card

When should I seek a second opinion?

Getting a second opinion is a common process that can give you peace of mind. You may want or need a second opinion because:

  • You have a rare type of cancer and want to be sure of your diagnosis
  • Your doctor gives you limited treatment options, and you think other treatments might be available at a different medical center
  • Your doctor is not a specialist in your type of cancer
  • Your doctor tells you there is uncertainty about your type or stage of cancer
  • You’re having trouble understanding and communicating with your doctor, or you want your options explained by someone else
  • You feel uncomfortable with your doctor and their ability to answer your questions or give you the time you need
  • Your insurance company asks you to get another opinion before you start treatment
  • You want to feel confident in your treatment plan