What does a Gleason score of 3 + 4 indicate in a patient's prostate cancer diagnosis?

A Gleason score of 3 + 4 indicates intermediate aggressiveness in prostate cancer. The Gleason scoring system assesses the histological pattern of prostate cancer cells. It assigns scores based on the two most prevalent patterns of cancer growth observed in the tissue sample.

In this case, a score of 3 represents a less aggressive cancer pattern, while a score of 4 indicates a more aggressive pattern. When these two scores are added together, the total score of 7 (from 3 + 4) is classified as intermediate on the Gleason scale. This classification is important, as it helps guide treatment decisions and predict patient outcomes.

Scores below 6 generally indicate low aggressiveness, whereas scores of 8 or higher are considered high aggressiveness. An indeterminate status is not applicable here, as the score provides a clear picture of the tumor's characteristics. Thus, understanding the meaning of the Gleason score is crucial for assessing the potential behavior of prostate cancer.