Understanding the Gleason Scale for Prostate Cancer

The Gleason Scale, which was developed in the 1960′s by Dr. Donald Gleason, a pathologist at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Hospital.  The purpose of the Gleason Scale is to grade prostate cancers, also called prostatic carcinomas,  and determines the patient’s prognosis for recovery.

The Gleason Scale includes five grades, One through Five.  A grade of 1 or 2 designates early stage prostate cancer, where the prognosis of full recovery and salvage of the prostate gland is high.

In Stage One, the prostate cancer cells are tightly grouped and contained within the prostate gland.   In this  stage, removal of the cancer from the prostate gland and full recovery is expected.

In Stage 2, the glands within in the prostate are a bit farther apart, but still well formed, and prognosis for full recovery is high.

In Stage 3, the glands are beginning to move and penetrate the prostate gland tissue.  This is the most common stage of detection of prostate cancer in men.  In this stage the cells are beginning to darken from their healthy pale color, and deformation of the gland is beginning.

In Stage 4, the glands are losing their normal shape, and metastasis of the cancer into surrounding tissue is evident.  Prognosis for full recovery at stage four on the Gleason Scale is possible.

In Stage 5, the prostatic tissue within the prostate gland have no real shape at this advanced stage, and metastasis is likely.  Prognosis for full recovery at this stage is questionable to unlikely.

Due to the fact that many men between the ages of 50 and 65, and men between the ages 40-45 with a family history of cancer or prostate cancer in the US, tend to begin yearly prostate cancer screening using the Prostate Specific Antigen Test,  also known as a PSA, digital rectal exams (DREs) or an MRI, prostate cancer is usually detected between stages one to four on the Gleason Scale, which are the stages where full recovery from prostate cancer is likely.  A prostate health supplement is also recommended, which promotes healthy prostate function. Click here to learn more. In stages 1 to 3, removal of the cancer, while preserving the prostate is likely.  At stages 4 and 5, the prostate is removed and drug, chemotherapy or radiation therapy is the likely prostate cancer treatment option.

To ensure your prostate gland is healthy and functioning properly, it is important to eat a diet high in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, limit the amount of red meat, eat red fruits and vegetables, which are  high in lycopene and take a daily prostate health supplement.