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  Stage M1 is a 
                          component of the clinical staging for prostate cancer 
                          established by the American Joint Committee on Cancer 
                          (AJCC). In stage M1, distant metastasis of prostate 
                          cancer has occurred. Stage M1 is further divided into 
                          three subcategories denoted by the letters a, b, and 
                          c. In stage M1a, the prostate cancer has metastasized 
                          to nonregional lymph nodes, meaning not the nodes that 
                          are adjacent to the bladder. In stage M1b, the prostate 
                          cancer has metastasized to the bones. In stage M1c, 
                          the prostate cancer has metastasized to other parts 
                          of the body, either with or without extension to the 
                          bones.     
 
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