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A common system used by doctors to determine the stage of prostate cancer is the TNM (tumor, node, metastasis) system. Cancer is staged according to:
= the type of tumor
= tumor spread to the lymph nodes
= tumor spread to distant sites
When cancer has spread beyond the prostate it is said to have metastasized. Cancer may spread to distant sites such as bone, liver or lung via the lymphatics system and the blood supply. Cancer that has reached this stage may produce symptoms such as difficult or painful urination, obstructed urine flow, pain if the cancer has spread to the bone, and fatigue. Treatment for this stage of cancer is aimed at easing symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease. This usually includes hormone therapy.
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