Nearly 30,000 men die of prostate cancer each year in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Prostate cancer is most common in men over the age of 65 and those with a family history. Like other types of cancer, prostate cancer is divided into stages to adequately describe symptoms, prognosis and treatment.
Definition
Prostate cancer is said to be in stage II when the tumor is larger than in stage I, but the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate.
Symptoms
As the Prostate Cancer Foundation notes, the early stages of prostate cancer, including stage II, may not demonstrate any noticeable symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they may include frequent urination, weak urine flow and pain while urinating.
Detection
The NCI has found that stage II prostate cancer can normally be detected through a physical exam, such as a rectal exam, and it may also show up on a sonogram.
Treatment
Surgery may be used to treat early forms of prostate cancer, including stages I and II. The NCI also includes radiation and hormone therapies as appropriate treatments for stage II prostate cancer.
Survival Rates
The long-term outlook for men with stage II prostate cancer is quite encouraging. According to the Cancer Research Center, the 5-year survival rate for stages I and II is 99 percent.
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