No. Prostate cancer varies greatly from person to person. Some tumors remain small and confined to the prostate for years, while others grow rapidly and may spread to nearby organs or bones.
Key factors that influence growth rate include:
The Gleason score is one of the most important indicators of how fast a prostate tumor may grow. It’s assigned after a biopsy and is based on how abnormal the cancer cells appear under a microscope.
Gleason Score |
Grade Group |
Growth Behavior |
6 or lower |
1 |
Low-risk, slow-growing |
7 (3+4 or 4+3) |
2 or 3 |
Intermediate-risk, variable growth |
8–10 |
4 or 5 |
High-risk, fast-growing and aggressive |
Prostate cancer is staged using the TNM system, which considers:
The rate at which PSA levels rise—called PSA velocity—can help predict how fast your cancer may be growing.
Dr. Samadi monitors PSA velocity closely during active surveillance and after treatment to detect early signs of progression.
While PSA levels and imaging (like MRI) offer clues, only a biopsy confirms the cancer type and Gleason score. Without this information, it’s impossible to accurately predict growth behavior.
High-risk prostate cancer can spread in months to a few years if untreated. It may move beyond the prostate to:
Early detection and timely treatment are critical to controlling the spread.
Dr. Samadi recommends:
As one of the world’s most experienced prostate surgeons, Dr. Samadi:
No matter the pace of your prostate cancer, you’ll receive a personalized plan designed to protect your health and quality of life.
If you've been diagnosed or are seeing rising PSA levels, don’t wait and wonder. Dr. Samadi can provide the answers—and next steps—you need.
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