The grading system most widely used is called the Gleason system. This system assigns grades ranging from 1 to 5. The more similar are the cells analyzed in a normal cell, the lower the number. If the cells do not have the characteristics of normal and seem to spread very haphazardly through the prostate would be in grade 5.
Prostate tumors with Gleason score high are more likely to have spread outside the gland.
The Gleason system is used mainly for classification of prostate cancers operable, it helps to decide the most appropriate form of treatment.
For advanced and disseminated tumors usually use another system called TNM classification that stratifies patients according to tumor size (T), the closest node involvement
For a correct TNM classification is need for additional tests such as scanners, or resonance imaging scans. The places to which prostate cancer spreads most often are the nodes of the pelvis, bones and lungs.
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