Correlation of modified Gleason grading of prostate carcinoma with age, serum prostate specific antigen and tumor extent in needle biopsy specimens.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the correlation of biopsy grade with age, serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) and biopsy tumor extent using the conventional and modified Gleason grading systems.


METHODS
A total of 828 consecutive needle biopsy specimens of prostate carcinoma were collected from the years 1995 and 2000 (graded with conventional Gleason grading) and 2006 and 2007 (graded with modified Gleason grading).


RESULTS
Both conventional and modified Gleason grading correlated with age, serum PSA, percent positive biopsies and percent cancer length. In 2006-2007, the patients were on average younger and more biopsy cores were taken per patient. Serum PSA and percent positive cores were lower than in the 1995 and 2000 group, indicating a stage shift downward, but the Gleason scores were nevertheless higher.


CONCLUSIONS
Conventional and modified Gleason grading both correlated with age, serum PSA and cancer involvement in needle biopsies. With modified Gleason grading there is a grade shift upward despite the downstaging that has been observed in recent years.
Helpap
Burkhard
B
Department of Pathology, General Hospital HBH Kliniken Singen, Academic Hospital, University of Freiburg, Singen, Germany. burkhard.helpap@hbh-kliniken.de
Egevad
Lars
L
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen