Gleason Score
The Gleason Score provides a system of grading prostate cancer. The Gleason Score should not be confused with staging. To determine the Gleason Score, tissue samples are examined under a microscope. Gleason scores range from 2 to 10 based on cellular characteristics, and indicate how likely it is that a tumor will spread. A low Gleason score means the cancer tissue is similar to normal prostate tissue and the tumor is less likely to spread. A high Gleason score means the cancer tissue is very different from normal and the tumor is more likely to spread.
The Gleason Score, together with staging, helps providers determine the most effective treatment strategy.