Experience with Gleason histopathologic grading of prostatic cancer in Japan

Histologic characteristics of prostate cancer in Japan were evaluated in a retrospective analysis of 267 cases. These specimens were graded by the Gleason histopathologic grading system, and the proportional distribution of histologic features and the death rate were compared with those of Gleason's results in the literature. The system demonstrates significant correlation with mortality rates for each grade group in our cases, and it was also found that the death rates as obtained by our figures were comparable to those of Gleason in each category. The results help to provide the basis for future comparative multinational trials of prostate cancer.