Providence Prostate Cancer Evaluation Select one of the
following to move quickly to the information you seek: Tumor
Factors Partin Evaluation Risk Category Summary Tumor Factors
Defining the Extent and Severity of Cancer There are three
measures used to determine the extent and severity of cancer.
These measures are Grade, Stage, and PSA. Grade (Gleason Score)
Grade is a means of describing the aggressive behavior of a
cancer. Low-grade tumors tend to grow slowly and tend to remain
in or around the prostate. High-grade tumors tend to grow
quickly and are more likely to spread beyond the prostate. How
is grade determined? A biopsy of the tumor is performed. A
pathologist will then evaluate this biopsy by determining the
growth pattern and appearance of the malignant cells under the
microscope. Based on their growth pattern, the sample will be
given a grade on a scale of 1 to 5. Grade 1 cell growth is
nearly normal; grade 5 cell growth is the most abnormal. Gleason
Grades from 1-5 Tumors often exhibit more tha