Prostate Cancer Warriors Information Arsenal
Consider your tactical maneuvers and mount your strategic defense.
Assessing the Situation
(initial diagnosis)
Your biopsy results (Gleason Sum/Score, number and location of positive cores), clinical stage, and prostate specific antigen (PSA) test results and history should be available in your medical record . Ask for this information from the person that diagnosed you or from the place where you were diagnosed. This preliminary intel can be used as you consider your engagement strategy with your medical team. Please note that other factors may change the initial analysis.
Characteristics:
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Gleason Sum/Score: 6(3+3)/Grade 1 and;
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Less than 3 positive biopsy cores and;
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Clinical Stage: T1 and;
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PSA less than 10.
Initial Analysis - very low risk
Engagement Strategy - very low
Characteristics:
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Gleason Sum/Score: 6(3+3)/Grade 1 and;
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More than 3 positive biopsy core, but in less than ½ of 1 side of the prostate and;
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Clinical Stage T1 and;
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PSA less than 10.
Initial Analysis - low risk
Engagement Strategy - low
Characteristics:
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Gleason Sum/Score: 7(3+4)/Grade 2 or;
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More than ½ of 1 side of the prostate or;
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Both sides of the prostate or;
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Clinical Stage: T2 or;
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PSA of 10-20.
Initial Analysis - intermediate (favorable) risk
Engagement Strategy - intermediate favorable
Characteristics:
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Gleason Sum/Score: 7(4+3)/Grade 3 or;
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More than ½ of 1 side of the prostate and/or;
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Both sides of the prostate or;
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Clinical Stage: T2 or;
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PSA of 10-20.
Initial Analysis - intermediate (unfavorable) risk
Engagement Strategy - intermediate unfavorable
Characteristics:
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Gleason Sum/Score: 8-9/Grade
4-5 or; -
Clinical Stage: T3 or;
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PSA of more than 20.
Initial Analysis - high risk
Engagement Strategy - high
Characteristics:
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Gleason Sum/Score: (5+5)10/Grade 5 and/or;
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Clinical Stage T4.
Initial Analysis - very high risk
Engagement Strategy - very high
Characteristics:
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Cancer has spread to nearby organs and/or lymph nodes (invading).
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Clinical Stage N1-N3.
Initial Analysis - regional spread
Engagement Strategy - regional
Characteristics:
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Cancer has spread to distant parts of the body (taking over).
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Clinical Stage: M1.
Initial Analysis - distant spread/metastasis
Engagement Strategy - metastatic
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When Additional Treatment is Needed or Cancer Returns
Take a Quick Tour of Some of the Tests Used to Initially Assess Your Risk
This test looks for the amount of PSA, a protein made by the prostate, is in your blood. It is measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL).
The purpose of the DRE is to feel for lumps and nodules (similar concept to a clinical breast exam).
Two grades are added together. The total will be between 6 and 10.
This test looks for the amount of PSA, a protein made by the prostate, is in your blood. It is measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL).
Click on the slide above if you would like to click through all 5 slides in full screen.