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What is a Gleason 6 Prostate Cancer

The Gleason scoring system for prostate cancer -- named after Donald F. Gleason, the pathologist who devised it -- grades tumors on their aggressiveness.

The scores are given out after cells are examined under a microscope. The grading system defines cancer cells solely by their architectural pattern. The two most common patterns are added together and their combined value indicates how benign or aggressive the cancer will turn out to be. The score consists of two numbers, a primary grade and a secondary grade. Each is given a value from 1 to 5, the higher numbers indicating a more aggressive cancer. The primary grade must be more than half of what is seen in total under the microscope. The most common score is a 3+3, or what is commonly known as a Gleason 6. It is the contention of this web site that many Gleason 6 cancers do not need to be treated.

If you have been diagnosed with a Gleason 7 or above, this site is not for you.

My Story...

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the spring of 2003. I was 53 years old. As is the case with most men these days, my diagnosis came as the result of a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test as part of my annual physical. My primary care doctor called me at home one night about a week after the blood draw and told me my PSA was high and that I ought to have the test done again as soon as possible to make sure the number -- 8 -- was accurate...  » read more