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Updated: May 15, 2026
07:25
A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
What is the risk posed by prostate cancer?
1University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-3955, USA. albertsen@nso.uchc.edu
Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Monographs
|December 29, 2012
Summary
Prostate cancer prognosis varies greatly. While Gleason score and tumor volume are key predictors, accurately assessing individual cancer risk remains challenging, especially when prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels are low.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Prostate cancer prognosis was historically poor, with many men succumbing to the disease despite hormonal treatments.
- The introduction of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing has led to earlier diagnosis of localized prostate cancer, often well- to moderately differentiated.
- Changes in Gleason pattern interpretation have reclassified some well-differentiated tumors as higher grade.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the prognostic factors in prostate cancer.
- To discuss the impact of PSA testing and Gleason score on predicting patient outcomes.
- To highlight the limitations in accurately predicting prostate cancer risk.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical and current diagnostic and prognostic factors for prostate cancer.
- Analysis of the role of Gleason score and tumor volume in determining long-term outcomes.
- Discussion of the utility and limitations of PSA testing in risk stratification.
Main Results:
- Gleason score is the most powerful predictor of prostate cancer outcome, followed by tumor volume.
- Well-differentiated prostate cancer generally has an excellent prognosis (10-20 years survival without intervention).
- Poorly differentiated prostate cancer often has a poor prognosis (within a decade).
- PSA levels may not accurately reflect tumor volume or grade in all cases, particularly in poorly differentiated disease.
Conclusions:
- Accurate prediction of individual prostate cancer risk remains a significant challenge.
- Gleason score and tumor volume are critical for prognosis, but limitations exist.
- Further advancements are needed to improve the accuracy of risk stratification for prostate cancer.
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