The Gleason Score determines how aggressive prostate cancer is and also provides information on how to proceed with treatment. To calculate a Gleason grade, the pathologist will study the tumor cells taken from a biopsy and see how the cells are organized.
A Gleason score will let oncologists know when to wait and watch or when to treat, assuming the patient is young enough to benefit from treatment (under age 70). Lower numbers translate into better risk factors, and different doctors may approach treatment differently.
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