How is the Gleason score summed?

JBella70

Hi everyone. I just received a diagnosis of prostate cancer and have a question about how the Gleason score is summed up. Is it the score of your worst biopsy core or the sum of ALL of your cancer-positive cores? For example, in my case I have 3 positive cores.

3 + 3

3 + 4

4 + 3

Would my overall Gleason score be 4 + 3 or 3 + 4?

On another topic, I want to send my biopsy samples out to a major cancer center for a second opinion and maybe some additional processing (like the Decipher test). Do you normally contact the receiving party first to set up the "appointment"?

Thanks.

Marlon

My samples were sent automatically by my urologist to be Decipher-ed. I didnt know enough to ask about it at the time.

centralPA

4+3 would be your Gleason score. You take the worst.

You can probably ask your urologist to seek a second opinion from wherever and they will handle it. I reached out to Hopkins for my first second opinion, they gave me a form to provide to my hospital. The second second opinion, they handled everything after I asked.

JBella70

My urologist hasn't mentioned it so I'll be sure to bring it up. Thanks.

Steve1961

the difference between 3+4 and 4+3 is rather simple if it’s 3+4 that means the majority of the cancer was Gleason grade 3 if it’s 4+3 that means the majority of the Gleason grade was four

Clevelandguy

Hi,

There is no overall Gleason score. The biopsy found 3 different grades of cancer with the 4+3 being the most aggressive. Steve1961 explanation of the Gleason score was spot on. I would think that your initial biopsy doctor could send it out to a another analysis lab of your choosing.

Dave 3+4