Prostate Cancer Survival Rate

What Is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer occurs due to uncontrollable cell growth in prostate glands. Prostate glands are found only in males and are responsible for producing some part of the semen fluid. If we speak about the position, the prostate gland is present in front of the rectum below the bladder. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in males worldwide, with France having the most cases. [¹]

In this read, we will share all information about prostate cancer, focusing on its survival rate and prognosis. We will also review this cancer type's different types and stages, treatment options, and other factors that may help you thoroughly understand its complexity.

Types of Prostate Cancer

Nearly all prostate cancer cases are adenocarcinomas, developing cancerous cells from the gland. In some cases, prostate cancer may be categorized into different types, as mentioned below.

Small Cell Carcinomas
Transitional Cell Carcinomas
Neuroendocrine Tumors
Sarcomas

The patient is most likely to have an adenocarcinoma when diagnosed with prostate cancer. Other types may be rarely found worldwide. [²]

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?

The signs and symptoms of prostate cancer may vary for each patient. While symptoms highlight the changes a patient may feel when suffering from a disease (prostate cancer in this case), the signs cover measurable changes that verify the presence of tumors. We have covered the common symptoms observed in most prostate cancer patients below. [³]

Frequent Urination
Interrupted Urine Flow (A constant need to clear the bladder)
Increased Urination at Night
Blood in the Patient's Urine
Erectile Dysfunction (New Onset)
Burning Sensation When Urinating
Painful Urination
Discomfort When Sitting (Due to the enlarged prostate gland)

Please note that the above symptoms may occur when the cancer is restricted to the prostate gland. If it spreads to other parts, the patients may feel additional symptoms. We have mentioned these below for your ease.

Back Pain (in shoulders, hips, thighs, or other bones)
Swollen Legs or Feet
Weight Loss
Fatigue
Altered Bowel Habits

Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Staging

How Is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed?

When a patient is suspected of prostate cancer, doctors may conduct several tests to diagnose the type and stage. These tests may vary for each patient based on their symptoms and health condition. Early tests for prostate cancer include prostate-specific antigen tests (PSA), free PSA tests, digital rectal exams (DRE), and biomarker tests. If early tests show cancer development in the prostate gland, doctors may proceed to biopsy (general) [⁴], MRI fusion biopsy, or transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) [⁵] to evaluate the condition of cancerous development.

Prostate Cancer Staging

When diagnosing prostate cancer through various tests, doctors analyze the condition and size of the tumor to determine its stage. Typically, doctors use the TNM staging system to check patients' cancer stages. Here are the prostate cancer stages you should be aware of.

Stage I prostate cancer (slow-growing cancer with no particular symptoms)
Stage II prostate cancer (stage II further classifies to IIA, IIB, and IIC)
Stage III prostate cancer (stage III further classifies to IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC)
Stage IV prostate cancer (stage IV further classifies to IVA and IVB)

For further details about the stages of prostate cancer, see [⁶].

Is Prostate Cancer Hereditary?

Prostate cancer may occur due to family history in some cases. However, most cases occur without a history of prostate cancer in families. While valid, if a male's brother or father has been diagnosed with prostate cancer (any stage), their chances of developing cancerous cells double those without such occurrences in the family. [⁷]

Prostate Cancer Survival Rate

The prognosis for prostate cancer usually considers two separate metrics: survival rate and quality of life (QOL). Doctors and researchers typically define survival rate in terms of the five-year survival rate, which indicates the percentage of patients alive five years after their diagnosis. The survival rate for prostate cancer is highly dependent on the stage of the disease, including tumor size and extent of metastasis, as well as on the patient's underlying health status.

Generally, prostate cancers caught at earlier stages (stage 0/in situ, stage 1) have a better outlook. If cancer has metastasized, treatment is more difficult, but in any case, it is important to maintain hope. It is important to understand that survival statistics represent averages - they should not be taken as prescriptive determinations of your future outcome.

What Is the Survival Rate for Prostate Cancer?

Before diving into the statistics, it is important to know that the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) database (maintained by the NCI) does not group prostate (and other) cancer types based on their TNM stages. The statistical data (instead) groups cancers into localized, regional, and distant staging.

According to the outcomes of the prostate cancer cases diagnosed between 2012 and 2018, the five-year survival rate for men with localized prostate cancer was over 99%. Regional cancer cases also showed the same survival rate figures. However, men with distant prostate cancer stages had a 32% survival rate (five-year statistics). [⁸]

It is worth noting that these stats only apply to the prostate cancer stage when first diagnosed. They do not apply to later developments in which cancer grows and spreads to other body parts. They are also invalid for cases where cancer returns despite being treated once. Another factor you should know is that these numbers only consider a few (major) factors. When doctors diagnose prostate cancer in patients, they run several tests (early and later stages) to determine the tumor's growth (and spread) and its effects on overall health.

The diagnosis tests evaluate various factors, including the PSA levels (of cancer) [⁹], the cancer's response to the treatment, and other variables that may affect the survival probabilities. The above (mean survival rate) figures speak about the prostate cancer cases (disease-free survival) in men between 2012 and 2018. Cancer treatments evolve over time due to modern research in the healthcare industry. Current cases (if evaluated over five years) may have a better outlook (long-term survival) than these values for localized, regional, and distant stages. [¹⁰]

Prostate Cancer Survival Rate By Age

Prostate cancer occurrences are common in males over 60. However, recent SEER database statistics (2015-2019) show that a minor percentage occurred in patients at younger ages, too [¹¹]. If we review the death percentage figures (SEER database 2016-2020), patients diagnosed between 35-44 made up 0.1%, 45-54 made up 1.2%, 55-64 made up 9.2%, 65-74 made up 23.8%, 75-84 made up 33.3%, and over 84 made up 32.5% of the total deaths. [¹²]

These figures highlight the substantial chances of prostate cancer survival rate in each age group. Deaths may occur due to worsening health conditions or late diagnosis of cancer development in the prostate glands of patients.

Prostate Cancer Survival Rate By Race

Prostate cancer is common in nearly every race. However, death tendencies may vary based on various factors, including environmental influences, health histories, genetic changes, etc. If we review the SEER (2016-2020) database death statistics (per 100,000 persons) by race, non-Hispanic white contributed to 17.8, non-Hispanic black contributed to 37.5, non-Hispanic Asian contributed to 8.6, non-Hispanic American contributed to 19.5, and Hispanic contributed to 15.3 deaths due to prostate cancer. [¹³]

Generally, prostate cancer is diagnosed in the early stages of development (localized). In such cases, doctors may be able to treat the patient and stop the development of new cancerous cells. However, late diagnosis may increase the chances of death in patients at older ages (75-84). Patients between these ages have poor physical health and weaker organs, making it difficult for them to cope with cancer development.

The SEER databases suggest that prostate cancer death cases occur more frequently in African American males, patients with advanced-stage prostate cancer, and patients between 75 and 84. Moreover, this cancer is the fifth leading cause of death (cancer-based) in the United States.

Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

Prostate cancer treatments vary for each patient depending on the case's complexity. Doctors conduct various methods to minimize the growth of cancerous cells in prostate glands and other body parts. Cancer treatment (typically) happens with the collective efforts of medical oncologists, surgeons, and radiation oncologists.

Common Treatments

While your doctor may be able to prescribe the best treatment for your case, we have covered the common treatment options for prostate cancer cases worldwide below. [¹⁴]

Active Surveillance

Prostate cancer treatments may cause adverse effects on prostate function. A common effect is erectile dysfunction [¹⁵]. To avoid such problems, doctors may advise patients to delay treatment. Active surveillance allows them to closely monitor cancer development and worsening symptoms to initiate treatment.

Surgical Treatment

Doctors may opt for surgical removal of the prostate gland and surrounding lymph nodes using various techniques, including radical prostatectomy, robotic (laparoscopic) prostatectomy, bilateral orchiectomy, and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is conducted by a radiation oncologist to destroy cancerous cells using high-energy rays. Radiation therapies may vary based on the stage and position of tumors.

Other Therapies

Doctors may also opt for other therapies to destroy cancerous cells in prostate glands. These methods may include focal therapies (cryosurgery and high-intensity focused ultrasound), chemotherapy, and androgen-deprivation therapy.

Clinical Trials for Prostate Cancer

Doctors may go for clinical trials if standard treatment methods fail to produce effective results. Clinical trials for prostate cancer focus on new treatments based on scientific advances to stop (or control) cancer development in the patient's gland. Doctors may use new drugs, multiple treatments, new approaches to radiation therapies, and other effective methods to treat prostate cancer. While true, doctors take the patient's informed consent before opting for such methods. [¹⁶]

Conclusion

Takeaway

Prostate cancer is the fifth leading (cancer-based) death cause in the U.S. Many males over 60 are diagnosed with this cancer type. While cancers can be fatal, prostate cancer has a 97% five-year survival rate in the U.S. alone. Prostate cancer is classified into four primary stages with substages of each. When diagnosed early, patients have a significant survival chance based on the best treatment options (suitable for the case). If you notice prostate cancer symptoms, you may immediately consult your doctor and opt for clinical tests to rule out the possibility of cancerous growth in the prostate gland.