When the pathologist looks at your prostate cells under a microscope, he or she assigns the Gleason score. The Gleason score determines how aggressive the cancer appears: a score of 2 being the least aggressive and 10 being the most. It is one of the parameters used to determine the best treatment for you. For example, in a patient with a Gleason score of 8 or greater, surgery is no longer considered appropriate.
Learn more about why is a Gleason score so important to prostate cancer patients.