All cancers are not diagnosed at the same stage of their evolution. They are classified according to their degree of extension.

Localized prostate cancer (stages T1 or T2)

The tumor is intracapsular, which means confined to the prostate, the capsule being the layer of muscle fibers surrounding the prostate gland. There is no extracapsular extension (overstepping of the capsule).
Stages T1 and T2 are indications for HIFU treatment with Ablatherm.

		• Stage T1 corresponds to a non palpable tumor (the digital rectal examination is absolutely normal, only the PSA level is abnormal), or the cancer is incidentally diagnosed on tissue specimens after resection of the prostate for the treatment of urinary symptoms (prostate enlargement).
		• Stage T2 corresponds to a palpable tumor during digital rectal examination (presence of a hard nodule more or less important)

Locally advanced prostate cancer (stages T3 or T4)

The tumor becomes extracapsular spreading itself to adjacent organs.

		• Stage T3 corresponds to a tumor which has crossed the limits of the gland (capsula) or which has reached the seminal vesicles
		• Stage T4 corresponds to a larger regional extension, able to reach the bladder or the rectum. At this stage, the lymph nodes and/or other organs are generally invaded (metastases).