TNM Staging
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T1 tumours are too small to be seen on scans or felt during examination of the prostate – they may have been discovered by needle biopsy, after finding a raised PSA level
T2 tumours are completely inside the prostate gland and are divided into 3 smaller groups
- T2a – The tumour is in only half of one of the lobes of the prostate gland
- T2b – The tumour is in more than half of one of the lobes
- T2c – The tumour is in both lobes but is still inside the prostate gland
T3 tumours have broken through the capsule (covering) of the prostate gland but have not spread into other organs – they are divided into 2 smaller groups
- T3a – The tumour has broken through the capsule (covering) of the prostate gland
- T3b – The tumour has spread into the seminal vesicles
T4 tumours have spread into other body organs nearby, such as the rectum (back passage), bladder, muscles or the sides of the pelvic cavity
The Gleason Score System
The Gleason Score is when the prostate tissue is looked at under a microscope.
It is graded from 1 to 5 , based on generally meanness and ugliness.
Two separate types of examinations are done, each scored 1 - 5.
This leads to a total Gleason score out of 10.
Tumors with a score of 7/10 or higher are considered to be the most aggressive.
