title: Does true Gleason pattern 3 merit its cancer descriptor?
abstract: Nearly five decades following its conception, the Gleason grading system remains a cornerstone in the prognostication and management of patients with prostate cancer. In the past few years, a debate has been growing whether Gleason score 3 + 3 = 6 prostate cancer is a clinically significant disease. Clinical, molecular and genetic research is addressing the question whether well characterized Gleason score 3 + 3 = 6 disease has the ability to affect the morbidity and quality of life of an individual in whom it is diagnosed. The consequences of treatment of Gleason score 3 + 3 = 6 disease are considerable; few men get through their treatments without sustaining some harm. Further modification of the classification of prostate cancer and dropping the label cancer for Gleason score 3 + 3 = 6 disease might be warranted.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London Medical School Building, 21 University Street, London WC1E 6AU, UK.
authors.forename: Saiful
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miah
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London Medical School Building, 21 University Street, London WC1E 6AU, UK.
authors.forename: Hashim U
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University College London Hospital, 3rd Floor East, 250 Euston Road, London NW1 2PG, UK.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London Medical School Building, 21 University Street, London WC1E 6AU, UK.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Emberton
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy