What are the criteria for distinguishing between "favorable" vs. "unfavorable" risk PC? For example, some PCs are labeled "intermediate favorable;" others are called "intermediate unfavorable." Thanks!
EdinBaltimore
What are the criteria for distinguishing between "favorable" vs. "unfavorable" risk PC? For example, some PCs are labeled "intermediate favorable;" others are called "intermediate unfavorable." Thanks!
EdinBaltimore
The NCCN intermediate risk group is currently defined as having any of the following:
- Stage T2b or T2c, or
- PSA 10- 20 ng/ml, or
- Gleason score = 7
(If multiple risk factors are present, the clinician may optionally deem it high risk)
D'Amico advocates the intermediate risk subgrouping proposed by Zumsteg et al at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) last year:
Unfavorable Intermediate Risk:
- NCCN intermediate risk, as defined above, plus
- Predominant Gleason grade 3 (i.e., Gleason score 4+3), or
- Percentage of positive biopsy cores≥ 50%, or
- Multiple NCCN intermediate risk factors
Favorable Intermediate Risk:
- NCCN intermediate risk, as defined above, but only those with
- Predominant Gleason grade 2 (i.e., Gleason score 3+4), and
- Percentage of positive biopsy cores <50%, and
- No more than one NCCN intermediate risk factor
Hi Ed,
Just wanted to say that those labels are for the doctors. In 2014 I was T2c, Gleason 4+5 in 10 of 13 cores, Gleason 7 in the other 3, with extensive metastases in my spine and ribs. Stage 4 PC.
I've been on ADT ever since and now my PSA has slowly gone up to 1.37. They now tell me I've got around another 10 years (I'm 71 BTW).
So I am an outlier, but it just goes to show that while it's important to know your risks, they are not written in stone.
Don't let labels get you down. Just sayin'