Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: What Happens Next?

September 02, 2026

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men. In fact, one in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, and the risk increases sharply after age 50. Receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis can bring a lot of questions. What type of prostate cancer do I have? Has it spread? Will I need treatment? Most importantly, what happens next?

man at table talking to doctor about prostate cancer treatment

The answers depend on several factors, including the characteristics of the cancer, how aggressive it is, whether it has spread beyond the prostate, your overall health and treatment preferences. Understanding the steps that typically follow a diagnosis can help you feel more prepared to have informed conversations with your care team.

Confirming and understanding your prostate cancer diagnosis

Prostate cancer is diagnosed through a combination of screening tests, which may include a prostate biopsy. During a biopsy, tissue samples are taken from the prostate and examined by a pathologist to determine whether cancer cells are present. Moffitt Cancer Center uses both transrectal and transperineal approaches to prostate biopsy.

A prostate cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, but patients don't have to make treatment decisions without understanding their options. The first step is to understand the characteristics of the cancer and what those findings mean for you.

Julio Pow-Sang, MD, Surgeon and Chair of the Department of Genitourinary Oncology

If cancer is found, the pathologist will evaluate the cancer cells and assign a Gleason score, which helps describe how aggressive the cancer may be. Gleason scores range from six to 10, with higher scores indicating cancer cells that are more abnormal and more likely to grow and spread. Doctors may also use the Grade Group system, which classifies prostate cancers into five groups based on their Gleason scores.

Your Gleason score is only one piece of the picture. Doctors will also consider factors such as your prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, the extent of the cancer and your overall health when discussing your options and the most appropriate treatment approach.

Prostate Cancer Survival Rates 45% Higher than National Averages

The primary aim of cancer treatment is to attain the best possible outcome and ensure the highest quality of life for the patient. On average, Moffitt's bladder cancer treatment survival rates are 1.5 times higher than the national average

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Has the prostate cancer spread?

Once prostate cancer has been diagnosed, additional testing may be recommended to determine how far the cancer has progressed. Depending on your individual situation, this may include imaging such as a PSMA positron emission tomography (PET). This test can help doctors determine whether the cancer remains confined to the prostate or has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other areas of the body. Understanding the extent and aggressiveness of the cancer helps your care team determine which treatment options may be appropriate.

Discussing your treatment options

There is no single treatment that is right for every person with prostate cancer. The best approach depends on factors such as the stage and aggressiveness of the tumor, your overall health and your preferences.

For some men with early-stage, slow-growing prostate cancer, active surveillance may be an option. Rather than beginning treatment immediately, active surveillance involves closely monitoring the cancer with tests such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, imaging, and, when appropriate, biopsies. If the cancer shows signs of progressing, treatment can then be considered.

For men who need treatment, options may include surgery, or radiation therapy, with or without hormonal therapy. Surgery may involve removing the prostate and nearby lymph nodes, while radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. For more advanced prostate cancer, additional treatments may be recommended based on the characteristics and extent of the disease. In very selected cases, your doctor may discuss focal therapy where only the tumor site is treated while sparing the rest of the normal prostate.

Why Consider a Second Opinion for Prostate Cancer?

Before making a treatment decision, seeking a second opinion can help you understand how different approaches could affect both your cancer and your quality of life. Research published in 2023 illustrates how much that additional review can matter. Among 120 cancer patients who sought a second opinion at a high-volume cancer center, 35% had a meaningful change in their recommended treatment. In many cases, the new recommendation involved less treatment rather than more, including reducing or avoiding surgery or moving from treatment to observation.

Because prostate cancer can vary significantly from one person to another, an experienced team can evaluate the details of your cancer alongside your health, goals and preferences. Moffitt’s Genitourinary Department brings together experts who focus on different aspects of prostate cancer care, including urologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists and radiologists. A second opinion may also help you better understand whether active surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy or another treatment approach may be appropriate for you.

The Only Florida-based NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center

Recognized for its scientific excellence, Moffitt is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center based in Florida.

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Questions to ask your prostate cancer care team

It can be difficult to remember everything you hear after receiving a cancer diagnosis. Before your appointment, consider writing down questions such as:

What type and stage of prostate cancer do I have?
What is my Gleason score or Grade Group?
Has my cancer spread beyond the prostate?
Do I need additional imaging or testing?
What are my treatment options?

Is active surveillance an option for me?
What are the benefits and side effects of treatments?
How could treatment affect my quality of life?
Would a second opinion be helpful?
Are there clinical trials that may be appropriate for me?

Talk to a prostate cancer expert

A prostate cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to navigate it alone. Learning about your diagnosis, understanding your treatment options and working with a team experienced in prostate cancer care can help you make informed decisions about what comes next.

At Moffitt, the Genitourinary Oncology program provides men with expert, compassionate care for all types and stages of prostate cancer. The team includes specialists dedicated to diagnosing and treating prostate cancer and works to develop an approach based on each patient’s individual cancer, health and goals.

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer, talking with an experienced cancer team can help you understand your options and determine the next step in your care.

If you would like to explore your treatment options, you can request an appointment with one of our prostate cancer experts at Moffitt by calling 888-663-3488 or by submitting a new patient registration form online. Referrals are not required.