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How is the Gleason score summed?

JBella70
JBella70 CSN Member Posts: 4 Member
edited June 2024 in Prostate Cancer #1

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.

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Comments

  • Marlon
    Marlon CSN Member Posts: 202 Member
    #2

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

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  • centralPA
    centralPA CSN Member Posts: 446 Member
    #3

    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.

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  • JBella70
    JBella70 CSN Member Posts: 4 Member
    #4

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

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  • Steve1961
    Steve1961 CSN Member Posts: 732 Member
    #5

    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

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  • Clevelandguy
    Clevelandguy CSN Member Posts: 1,402 Member
    #6

    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

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