Gleason score on biopsy verses at surgery+prostate cancer?
ANSWER: Hi, It is true that gleason score on biopsy is a very important "tool" in understanding or determining the extension of this disease before undergoing surgery. This determination will also help surgeons in their decision on the best procedure and the places they should search for the cancer (in cases when it has been spread, whether confined or extraprostatic). The lower the score (up to 4), the higher the chances that the cancer is confined and not spread outside the prostate. However, there are studies showing that even though patients had gleason score from 4 to 5, only half of them had confined prostate cancer. The system of gleason score will also determine the success of a prostate surgery. In general, the lower the score, the higher the chances for success. For your info, success is determined by entirely eradicating cancer, and it cannot develop after prostate removal; meaning there is no extraprostatic cancer. After the surgery, the patient will follow up to determine his health status, including his gleason score for survival. All the best! Dr.Alba
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