Understanding the Gleason Scale

The gleason scale is an important diagnostic tool to assess the progression of prostate cancer.

If your PSA test results and/or DRE (digital rectal exam) come up positive, the next course of action is usually a prostate biopsy (surgical removal of a small section of prostate cells).

The results of this test is referred to as your Gleason prostate score. The Gleason test is a good diagnostic tool to direct your future prostate cancer treatment options.

How your Gleason Score is Calculated

The scale (1-5) is made up of a Gleason grade (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) from your prostate biopsy.

1 being the least aggressive and looking mostly like normal prostate cells, and 5 being the most aggressive and looking mostly like irregular prostate cancer cells.

Your Gleason score is based on combining the grades of two differant biopsy sections (primary and secondary).

The primary section (at least 50% of biopsy) which is graded from 1 to 5.

And the secondary section (5% to 50% of biopsy), also graded from 1 to 5.

Therefore your Gleason score consists of 2 Gleason scale grades;

1 to 5 (primary) + 1 to 5 (secondary) = 2 to 10 (your Gleason score).

i.e. 4 + 3 = 7. A Gleason score of 7.

Gleason Scale Levels

- Low Grade (well differentiated): 4 or less.

- Intermediate Grade (moderately differentiated): 4 to 7.

- High Grade (poorly differentiated): 8 to 10.

Low Gleason Score: 4 or Less

Your biopsy test results indicate prostate cancer cells that still look like regular prostate cells and will tend to spread slowly.

Intermediate Gleason Test Score: 4 to 7

Your prostate cancer cells look somewhat like regular prostate cells but there are noticable differances, and may tend to spread at a faster rate.

High Gleason Prostate Score: 8 to 10

Your prostate cancer cells have clear indications of irregular shape and size, and may spread at a fast rate.

Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

Which treatment you and your doctor decide upon will depend on both your Gleason test scores and stage of prostate cancer.

The factors on whether the prostate cancer has spread outside your prostate gland and it's rate of growth, are the major determinants on deciding your best treatment approach and survival rates.