If prostate cancer has reached the stages T3 or T4, then the condition is classified as advanced prostate cancer. Metastatic prostate cancer to the bone has more chances to show symptoms of prostate cancer than any other earlier stage of the illness. Physicians usually look for bone metastasis or lymph node metastasis, which get the names M and N in terms of clinical prostate cancer stages.



In the T3 clinical stage, the tumor has gone beyond the walls of the prostatic capsule, maybe into the seminal vesicles. This situation is called extraprostatic extension. In the T4 clinical stage, the illness invades the organs around it (not only the seminal vesicles), namely the neck of the bladder, the rectum and the external sphincter.



Metastasis usually happens while the cancer is in advanced stages. Metastatic disease means a prostate cancer that has gone beyond the prostate gland and the nearby organs. Metastatic prostate cancer to the bone and lymph node metastasis are associated with the concept of advanced prostate cancer. The metastatic condition could entail symptoms that are not included in regular Prostate Cancer Treatment Guides.

The cause for prostate cancer metastasis - Metastasis comes as the result of a process called angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels. Bad cells have the capability of attaching themselves to these vessels and going to various other parts of the body. The bad cancer cells usually get stuck in the bone or lymph nodes. Here, the cells “set up camp” and they start an aggressive and uncontrollable process of division.

Lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer - The human body makes a fluid called the lymph. This fluid contains the white blood cells and it travels through the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes are tiny round or oval organs which filter the lymph. The cancer cells that travel throughout the body can get stuck in these lymph nodes. When they get stuck, the cells start their nasty habit of unhealthy division, which entails lymph node metastasis.

Lymph node metastases can be of two types: distant and local. Local lymph node metastasis is also called N1 in terms of clinical staging. There are two lymph nodes on each side of the bladder. Since the nodes in question are near the prostate gland, then the metastasis is seen as local. If the metastasis caused by cancer cells is found in any other lymph node in the body, then the metastasis is considered distant. Distant lymph node metastasis is called M1a in terms of clinical staging.



Metastatic prostate cancer to the bone

Cases where bone cancer sets in as a cause on its own are pretty rare. Usually, bone cancer appears as a result of metastasis of advanced prostate cancer. When it comes to prostate cancer, metastatic prostate cancer to the bone is called clinical stage M1b. However, if prostate cancer results in bone disease, then the patient cannot be considered as suffering from bone cancer. Since the cancer in patients is classified with respect for the point of origin, then it is said that that patient has metastatic prostate cancer to the bone.