Nathan, the prognosis with prostatic carcinoma depends to a great
extent on the grade (how differentiated the tumor is, correlating with
its propensity to invade normal tissues and spread distantly
(metastasize)) and the stage (how big the tumor is, whether it has
extended outside the prostate to involve contiguous tissues, and
whether it has spread to distant sites such as pelvic lymph nodes or
bone). Prostatic carcinoma is an adenocarcinoma, ie. a epithelial
malignancy forming abortive glands --- well differentiated, forming
distinct glandular structures --- poorly differentiated, composed of
cells with highly variable morphology and forming essentially no
glandular structures. It is common, and the frequency increases
progressively with age. Therapy depends on the grade and stage, but
frontline therapies are surgery, hormonal therapy and radiation.
Without knowing the grade and stage in Mr. Grove, it is impossible to
evaluate prognosis, how his ability to work and function might be
affected, etc.
Dan Wirt
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