The treatment of prostate cancer varies depending on what stage the cancer is at. The Gleason score is a scale given to the tumor which helps decide the best course of action. Other factors involved in the decision of treatment include age of the patient and their physical and mental health condition.

The Gleason scale is a number given to the tumor, where the lower the score the less likely the cancer will spread to other part of the body.

A Gleason scale score or 6 or less means that the cancer is not likely to spread around the body.

A Gleason scale score of 7 means there is a reasonable chance of the cancer spreading around the body.

A Gleason score of 8 or more means there is a good chance that the cancer will spread around the body.

Once a Gleason number has been assigned, then the doctor or specialist will recommend the best course of action, although the final decision for treatment always lies with the patient. Treatments range from “passive watching “, to “active watching” and then onto actual treatment such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and Brachytherapy.

The cause of prostate cancer is still not known at this time, although treatment has been getting more and more successful over the last twenty years. If the cancer has not spread to the bones, then it can often be treated successfully. However if it has spread to the bone then it may not be curable, and treatment will revolve around prolonging life. the prostate cancer scale known as the Gleason scale provides a method to determining the correct treatment for the patient.