Needle Biopsy Gleason Score Research Articles

Should all prostate needle biopsy Gleason score 4 + 4 = 8 prostate cancers be high risk? Implications for shared decision-making and patient counselling

ObjectivesTo estimate the probability of downgrading to Gleason score ≤7 at radical prostatectomy for men with a prostate needle biopsy demonstrating Gleason score 8 (4 + 4). MethodsThis is a retrospective review of men with Gleason score 8 (4 + 4) prostate cancer on needle biopsy who then underwent a radical prostatectomy at the Karmanos Cancer Institute or the University of Michigan. Men with any pattern 5 on the diagnostic biopsy were excluded. The objective was to estimate the proportion of patients whose tumors were downgraded to Gleason score ≤7 at radical prostatectomy and to identify clinical and biopsy parameters associated with downgrading. ResultsMedian age of our cohort was 63 years (IQR: 59, 67.5) and median follow-up was 15 months (IQR: 7, 37). Of the 105 men that met inclusion criteria, 59% (62/105) were downgraded to Gleason score ≤7 at radical prostatectomy. Having ≤2 cores demonstrating Gleason score 8, ≤50% maximal tumor involvement of any individual core positive for Gleason score 8, or the presence of Gleason pattern 3 (such as 3 + 4, 4 + 3, or 3 + 3) in other biopsy cores were all independently associated with downgrading in our multivariable model. Depending on the absence, presence, or combination of these 3 factors, patients had an estimated 6% to 82% probability of having their tumor downgraded at radical prostatectomy. ConclusionsMen with low volume Gleason 8 (4 + 4) and/or the presence Gleason pattern 3 on prostate needle biopsy often have their tumors downgraded at radical prostatectomy. The presence of these preoperative biopsy parameters could affect pretreatment counseling and impact patient management.

The prognostic impact of downgrading and upgrading from biopsy to radical prostatectomy among men with Gleason score 7 prostate cancer.

Recently, a new prostate cancer (PC) grading system was introduced, where Gleason score (GS) 7 was divided into 3 + 4 = 7 and 4 + 3 = 7 due to the different prognoses associated with each tumor type. However, whether downgrading or upgrading from needle biopsy (NB) to radical prostatectomy (RP) affects oncologic outcomes is currently unknown. Herein, we investigated the prognostic impact of downgrading and upgrading from NB to RP among men with GS 7 PC. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 3003 patients with localized PC who underwent RP between 2005 and 2014. We included 692 patients with GS 7 PC on both NB and RP specimens. We analyzed the data using Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazard models. Of the 692 patients enrolled in this study, 389 (56.2%) and 303 (43.8%) patients had RP GS 3 + 4 = 7 and RP GS 4 + 3 = 7 PC, respectively. On the basis of NB and RP GS, 264 (38.1%), 125 (18.1%), 142 (20.5%), and 161 (23.3%) patients were classified as 3 + 4/3 + 4, 4 + 3/3 + 4, 3 + 4/4 + 3, and 4 + 3/4 + 3, respectively. Kaplan-Meier curves showed significant differences in biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival across the groups (P < .001). In the multivariate analyses, these groups were significantly associated with BCR (4 + 3/3 + 4: hazard ratio [HR], 1.675; 3 + 4/4 + 3: HR, 1.908; and 4 + 3/4 + 3: HR, 2.699). Downgrading and upgrading from NB to RP was an independent predictor of BCR in men with GS 7 PC, which could be due to the amount of Gleason pattern 4.

Factors effective on survival after radical prostatectomy: To what extent is pre-operative biopsy Gleason scoring is confident in predicting the prognosis?

In the present study, the effect of different grades on independent survival from the biochemical relapse was investigated through comparison of the histological grades of the biopsy and prostatectomy materials in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP). A total of 152 patients undergoing RP following biopsy were retrospectively investigated in an attempt to reveal the effect of discordance between needle biopsy Gleason score and RP Gleason score on prostate specific antigen relapse-free survival. Accordingly, while 58.3% (14/24) survival was seen in the patients in Group 1 (high-graded) with Gleason score 7, 93.7% (15/16) survival has been seen in the patients in Group 2 (low-graded) and Group 3 (same Gleason scores) with Gleason score 7. The difference in-between has been statically found significant (P < 0.001). Similarly, while a 10% (1/10) survival is seen in the patients in Group 1 with Gleason score 8 and above, 75% (3/4) survival has been observed in the patients in Group 2 and 3 with Gleason score 8 and above. Also in this comparison, the difference in-between has been statically found significant (P = 0.041). Eventually, different grading, particularly determination of Gleason score higher than the RP specimen biopsy also bring about bad pathologic parameters and shortened survival periods.

Modeling and Analysis of Gleason Score 8-10 Prostate Cancers in the REDUCE Study

To explore explanations for the numerical imbalance of biopsy-detected Gleason 8-10 prostate cancers (PCa) diagnosed in years 3-4 in the dutasteride and placebo groups of the Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events (REDUCE) study. REDUCE was a 4-year, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of dutasteride (0.5mg/d) vs placebo for PCa risk reduction. We modeled the incidence of Gleason 8-10 cancer and used logistic regression analysis to evaluate the effects of baseline predictors of PCa, as well as post-baseline prostate volume at the time of biopsy, on PCa diagnosis. We compared needle biopsy Gleason scores with corresponding surgery Gleason scores. All statistical tests conducted were 2-sided. Had there been a scheduled biopsy occurring only at year 4, we estimated a similar incidence of Gleason 8-10 PCa in the dutasteride (n= 45) and placebo (n= 46) groups. Two biopsy Gleason 7 cancers in the placebo group (n= 150) were upgraded to Gleason 8-10 cancer on prostatectomy, and no patients in the dutasteride group (n= 111) were upgraded. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated the effect of prostate volume on Gleason 8-10 cancer diagnosis. Although modeling of REDUCE data showed a similar incidence of Gleason 8-10 cancer in the dutasteride and placebo groups at year 4, an association between dutasteride and Gleason 8-10 cancer cannot be definitely excluded. It is likely that several biases, notably study design and prostate size at the time of biopsy, contributed to the numerical imbalance in Gleason 8-10 cancers observed between the treatment groups in years 3-4.

Upgrading and Downgrading of Prostate Cancer from Biopsy to Radical Prostatectomy: Incidence and Predictive Factors Using the Modified Gleason Grading System and Factoring in Tertiary Grades

BackgroundPrior studies assessing the correlation of Gleason score (GS) at needle biopsy and corresponding radical prostatectomy (RP) predated the use of the modified Gleason scoring system and did not factor in tertiary grade patterns. ObjectiveTo assess the relation of biopsy and RP grade in the largest study to date. Design, setting, and participantsA total of 7643 totally embedded RP and corresponding needle biopsies (2004–2010) were analyzed according to the updated Gleason system. InterventionsAll patients underwent prostate biopsy prior to RP. MeasurementsThe relation of upgrading or downgrading to patient and cancer characteristics was compared using the chi-square test, Student t test, and multivariable logistic regression. Results and limitationsA total of 36.3% of cases were upgraded from a needle biopsy GS 5–6 to a higher grade at RP (11.2% with GS 6 plus tertiary). Half of the cases had matching GS 3+4=7 at biopsy and RP with an approximately equal number of cases downgraded and upgraded at RP. With biopsy GS 4+3=7, RP GS was almost equally 3+4=7 and 4+3=7. Biopsy GS 8 led to an almost equal distribution between RP GS 4+3=7, 8, and 9–10. A total of 58% of the cases had matching GS 9–10 at biopsy and RP. In multivariable analysis, increasing age (p<0.0001), increasing serum prostate-specific antigen level (p<0.0001), decreasing RP weight (p<0.0001), and increasing maximum percentage cancer/core (p<0.0001) predicted the upgrade from biopsy GS 5–6 to higher at RP. Despite factoring in multiple variables including the number of positive cores and the maximum percentage of cancer per core, the concordance indexes were not sufficiently high to justify the use of nomograms for predicting upgrading and downgrading for the individual patient. ConclusionsAlmost 20% of RP cases have tertiary patterns. A needle biopsy can sample a tertiary higher Gleason pattern in the RP, which is then not recorded in the standard GS reporting, resulting in an apparent overgrading on the needle biopsy.

Prostate cancer grading: the effect of stratification of needle biopsy Gleason Score 4 + 3 as high or intermediate grade

To assess the discrepancy between needle biopsy (NB) and radical prostatectomy (RP) Gleason score (GS) in Irish men, specifically the influence of the stratification of GS 4 + 3 on overall levels of agreement, levels of discrepancy and kappa coefficients, as the GS assigned to prostate cancer NBs affects clinical decision-making and influences future therapeutic strategies. We reviewed retrospectively a database of the discrepancies between NB and RP Gleason grades (GG) from 2003 to 2008. All patients had clinically localized prostate cancer, and none had had neoadjuvant therapy. Grading of 206 NB specimens was compared with their corresponding RP specimens. The discrepancy rate between NB and RP GS was assessed for each combination of GG. Intermediate- (GS 7, defined as GS 3 + 4 alone vs GS 7) and high-grade (GS 4 + 3 and GS 8-10 vs GS 8-10) classifications were compared. The level of agreement and the kappa coefficient for each system was assessed. In NB, GS 6 was most frequently diagnosed (53%); after RP, GS 3 + 4 was most frequent (36%). In 42% of cases the exact GG remained unchanged after RP, increasing to 48% for GS 6 and GS 3 + 4. Overall 42% of cases showed an increase in their GG. In GS 6 NBs, the rate of increase in the primary GG or increase in the GS was 52%. Biopsy GS 6 and 3 + 4 showed the highest levels of agreement between NB and RP. Low-grade prostate cancer on NB was upgraded in 52% of cases; high-grade prostatic adenocarcinoma was downgraded in 27-77% of cases depending on the grading system used. Classification of high-grade prostate cancer as GS 4 + 3 and GS 8-10 results in higher levels of agreement between NB and RP GS. Reliable identification of well differentiated prostatic adenocarcinoma in NB specimens represents an ongoing diagnostic challenge, necessitating careful preoperative consideration of the definitive grade of a patient's disease.

A Contemporary Study Correlating Prostate Needle Biopsy and Radical Prostatectomy Gleason Score

We determined whether contemporary practice patterns of Gleason grading for prostate needle biopsy and radical prostatectomy have evolved. We correlated needle biopsy (assigned at Johns Hopkins Hospital and other institutions) and radical prostatectomy Gleason score for 1,455 men who underwent radical prostatectomy at Johns Hopkins Hospital from 2002 to 2003, and compared the results with those of a 1994 study of similar design. Outside institutions diagnosed Gleason score 2-4 in 1.6% (23 of 1,455) of needle biopsies vs 22.3% (87 of 390) in 1994. Of needle biopsies labeled Gleason score 2-4, 30.4% revealed radical prostatectomy Gleason score 7-10. In 2002 to 2003 no Johns Hopkins Hospital needle biopsy was assigned Gleason score 2-4. Needle biopsies designated Gleason score 6 or less had 80.0% accuracy with regard to radical prostatectomy Gleason score vs 63% accuracy in older data. For needle biopsy Gleason score 7 or greater, 35.5% (outside institution) and 24.8% (Johns Hopkins Hospital) of radical prostatectomies displayed Gleason score less than 7. Overall, outside and Johns Hopkins Hospital needle biopsy diagnoses showed 69.7% and 75.9% agreement with radical prostatectomy Gleason score, respectively. Direct comparison of Johns Hopkins Hospital and needle biopsy Gleason scores elsewhere revealed 81.8% agreement, with 87.1% for Gleason score 5-6, 68.1% for Gleason score 7 and 35.1% for Gleason score 8-10. For 59.4% of outside needle biopsies with Gleason score 8-10, Johns Hopkins Hospital Gleason score was 7 or less. Conversely, for 64.9% of Johns Hopkins Hospital needle biopsies with Gleason score 8-10, outside Gleason score was 7 or less. For needle biopsies with Gleason score 5-6, 7 and 8-10, the incidence of nonorgan confined disease at radical prostatectomy was 17.7%, 47.8% and 50.0%, respectively, for Johns Hopkins Hospital vs 18.2%, 44.6% and 37.5% for outside institutions. The last decade has seen the near elimination of once prevalent under grading of needle biopsy. All cases still assigned Gleason score 2-4 show Gleason score 5 or greater at radical prostatectomy and nearly a third reveal Gleason score 7-10, reaffirming that Gleason score 2-4 is a needle biopsy diagnosis that should not be made. As evidenced by variable over grading and under grading, as well as poor correlation with pathological stage, difficulties in the assignment of Gleason pattern 4 and overall Gleason score of 8-10 on needle biopsy remain an important issue.

Prognostic Significance of Gleason Score Discrepancies between Needle Biopsy and Radical Prostatectomy

ObjectivesDiscordance between the Gleason score (GS) on needle biopsy (NB) and the GS of the radical prostatectomy (RP) specimen is a common finding. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of these discrepancies with respect to outcomes following RP. MethodsIn the study, 6625 men treated by RP were categorized as having NB=RP (68.8%), NB<RP (25.0%) or NB>RP (6.2%) GS, and stratified for analyses into RP GS groups. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze differences in biochemical recurrence–free survival (BRFS), and multivariate Cox analyses were performed to estimate the independent relative risk of progression associated with GS discrepancies. ResultsAcross multiple RP GS strata (3+4, 7, 8, 8–10), patients with a lower NB GS experienced significantly better BRFS than patients with equal NB and RP GS (all p<0.05). NB<RP GS was independently associated with better (pooled HR, 0.76, p=0.001) BRFS, within and across RP GS strata. Similarly, patients with NB>RP GS had poorer BRFS than patients with NB=RP GS across multiple RP GS strata (≤3+3, 3+4, 7; all p<0.05). NB>RP GS was independently associated with worse (pooled HR, 1.91, p<0.001) BRFS probabilities, within and across RP GS strata. ConclusionsOur data suggest that the GS of the NB adds additional prognostic value to the RP GS in a consistent manner that may be applicable to strategies of risk stratification and patient counseling after surgery.

1488: Risk of Disparity Between Needle Biopsy Gleason Score and Final Pathologic Gleason Score is not Correlated with Prostate Volume

1488: Risk of Disparity Between Needle Biopsy Gleason Score and Final Pathologic Gleason Score is not Correlated with Prostate Volume

Extended prostate needle biopsy improves concordance of Gleason grading between prostate needle biopsy and radical prostatectomy.

We examined the concordance of Gleason scores in prostate needle biopsy specimens and the corresponding radical retropubic prostatectomy specimens in a cohort of patients grouped according to the number of cores obtained during diagnostic needle biopsy. We reviewed clinical and pathological data on a cohort of 466 men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer by needle biopsies who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy between January 1, 1990 and July 31, 2001. Two study groups were identified, including 126 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer by extended needle biopsies (10 or more cores) and 340 diagnosed with cancer by nonextended needle biopsies (9 or fewer cores). Mean age was 60 years and median prostate specific antigen was 5.8 ng./ml. The median number of cores in the extended and nonextended biopsy groups was 12 and 6, respectively. The concordance of Gleason score in the needle biopsy and prostatectomy specimens was compared and correlated with the number of cores on needle biopsy. In the whole cohort 311 patients (67%) had identical Gleason scores on the needle biopsy and prostatectomy specimens, while 53 (11%) were over graded and 102 (22%) were under graded on needle biopsy. In patients who underwent extended needle biopsies the accuracy rate for Gleason scoring was 76% with 10% over and 14% under graded. The highest accuracy rates were in patients with 13, 14 and 16 cores (89%, 87% and 100%, respectively). No patients in the extended needle biopsy group had a discrepancy of more than 2 Gleason units in grade in the biopsy and surgical specimens. In those who underwent nonextended needle biopsies the accuracy rate for Gleason scoring was 63% with 12% over and 25% under graded. There were significantly different rates of accuracy (p = 0.008) and under grading (p = 0.01) in the 2 needle biopsy groups. Patients with a needle biopsy Gleason score of less than 7 had significantly higher concordance with the prostatectomy Gleason score when extended biopsies were done compared with nonextended biopsies (p = 0.001). Prostate cancer grading by extended needle biopsy is a better predictor of the final Gleason score than nonextended needle biopsy, as determined by radical prostatectomy histological evaluation. Therefore, extended prostate needle biopsy provides better guidance to determine the appropriate treatment in patients with prostate cancer.

Gleason grading of prostate cancer in needle biopsies or radical prostatectomy specimens: contemporary approach, current clinical significance and sources of pathology discrepancies

The Gleason grading system is a powerful tool to prognosticate and aid in the treatment of men with prostate cancer. The needle biopsy Gleason score correlates with virtually all other pathological variables, including tumour volume and margin status in radical prostatectomy specimens, serum prostate-specific antigen levels and many molecular markers. The Gleason score assigned to the tumour at radical prostatectomy is the most powerful predictor of progression after radical prostatectomy. However, there are significant deficiencies in the practice of this grading system. Not only are there problems among practising pathologists but also a relative lack of interobserver reproducibility among experts.

Multivariate models to predict clinically important outcomes at prostatectomy for patients with organ-confined disease and needle biopsy Gleason scores of 6 or less

The objective of this study was to determine the clinical and biopsy features associated with outcomes at radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) in patients with clinically organ-confined prostate cancers and biopsy Gleason scores (GS) of 6 or less. We reviewed 274 biopsies with GS 6 or less cancers from patients with clinically organ-confined disease between 1995 and 1998 to determine statistically significant predictors for the following outcomes at RRP: tumor volume, small (<0.5 cc), confined (pT2) tumors with RRP GS of 6 or less (potentially “insignificant” tumors), and extraprostatic extension (EPE). Clinical and pathologic features evaluated included age, serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), clinical stage, percent biopsy cores and surface area positive for cancer (tumor extent), perineural invasion, MIB-I proliferation, and DNA ploidy by digital image analysis (DIA). Multivariate analyses showed that biopsy tumor extent (median percent surface area positive 3.3%; P < 0.001 and median biopsy cores positive 28.6%; P = 0.001) and PSA (median 5.5 ng/mL; P = 0.009) predicted tumor volume (median 1.4 cc). Biopsy tumor extent ( P = 0.002), PSA ( P = 0.002), and percent S-phase nuclei ( P = 0.050) predicted potentially “insignificant” tumors at RRP ( n = 76, 28%). Percent surface area positive for cancer ( P = 0.003) predicted EPE ( n = 22, 8%). DNA ploidy ( n = 211, 79% diploid) and MIB-I proliferation (median 1.4%) did not add information to predict these RRP outcomes. Biopsy tumor extent and serum PSA were significantly associated with tumor volume. Biopsy tumor extent, serum PSA, and percent S-phase nuclei by DIA were predictive of potentially insignificant tumors. Patients with clinically confined disease, <5% biopsy surface area positive for cancer, <20% biopsy cores positive for cancer, and GS 6 or less, had a 48% chance of having a potentially insignificant tumor at diagnosis if the serum PSA was <10 ng/mL. Percent surface area predicted EPE at RRP. DNA ploidy and MIB-I proliferation by DIA did not provide additional information.

Differences in biopsy features between prostate cancers located in the transition and peripheral zone

To identify the zonal location of prostate cancers before surgery, by analysing the mapping of ultrasonography-guided systematic sextant biopsies for differences between cancers located in the transition zone (TZ) and peripheral zone (PZ); and to compare the correlation between Gleason scores of needle biopsies and those of radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens. In all, 186 patients with TZ (46) and PZ cancers (140) underwent ultrasonography-guided systematic sextant biopsy and RP at the same institution. The clinical and pathological characteristics, and the anatomical location of positive biopsies, were determined and compared using t-tests and chi-square tests. Differences between Gleason scores of needle biopsies and those of RP specimens were evaluated and compared by Cohen kappa testing. TZ cancers had a significantly lower rate of positive biopsies in the middle (63% vs 80%) and base (50% vs 80%) of the prostate than had PZ cancers. Positive biopsies were exclusively obtained from the apex in 19.6% of TZ and 5% of PZ cancers (P = 0.002). There was exact agreement between Gleason scores of needle biopsies and those of RP specimens in 15.2% of TZ (kappa = 0.02) and 55% of PZ cancers (kappa = 0.25), respectively. Compared with PZ cancers, TZ cancers had a different anatomical pattern of positive biopsies, with lower rates in the middle and base of the prostate. The finding of positive biopsies exclusively in the apex favoured prostate cancer located in the TZ. Furthermore, the correlation between needle biopsy Gleason scores and those of the RP specimens was clearly lower in TZ cancers.

Extended Prostate Needle Biopsy Improves Concordance Of Gleason Grading Between Prostate Needle Biopsy And Radical Prostatectomy

We examined the concordance of Gleason scores in prostate needle biopsy specimens and the corresponding radical retropubic prostatectomy specimens in a cohort of patients grouped according to the number of cores obtained during diagnostic needle biopsy. We reviewed clinical and pathological data on a cohort of 466 men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer by needle biopsies who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy between January 1, 1990 and July 31, 2001. Two study groups were identified, including 126 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer by extended needle biopsies (10 or more cores) and 340 diagnosed with cancer by nonextended needle biopsies (9 or fewer cores). Mean age was 60 years and median prostate specific antigen was 5.8 ng./ml. The median number of cores in the extended and nonextended biopsy groups was 12 and 6, respectively. The concordance of Gleason score in the needle biopsy and prostatectomy specimens was compared and correlated with the number of cores on needle biopsy. In the whole cohort 311 patients (67%) had identical Gleason scores on the needle biopsy and prostatectomy specimens, while 53 (11%) were over graded and 102 (22%) were under graded on needle biopsy. In patients who underwent extended needle biopsies the accuracy rate for Gleason scoring was 76% with 10% over and 14% under graded. The highest accuracy rates were in patients with 13, 14 and 16 cores (89%, 87% and 100%, respectively). No patients in the extended needle biopsy group had a discrepancy of more than 2 Gleason units in grade in the biopsy and surgical specimens. In those who underwent nonextended needle biopsies the accuracy rate for Gleason scoring was 63% with 12% over and 25% under graded. There were significantly different rates of accuracy (p = 0.008) and under grading (p = 0.01) in the 2 needle biopsy groups. Patients with a needle biopsy Gleason score of less than 7 had significantly higher concordance with the prostatectomy Gleason score when extended biopsies were done compared with nonextended biopsies (p = 0.001). Prostate cancer grading by extended needle biopsy is a better predictor of the final Gleason score than nonextended needle biopsy, as determined by radical prostatectomy histological evaluation. Therefore, extended prostate needle biopsy provides better guidance to determine the appropriate treatment in patients with prostate cancer.

Gleason Scores from Prostate Biopsies Obtained with 18-Gauge Biopsy Needles Poorly Predict Gleason Scores of Radical Prostatectomy Specimens

Objectives: Prostate cancer is the most frequent cancer among men in the US. Histological grading is an important part of the diagnostic evaluation aside from clinical staging and serum PSA. The most commonly used grading system is the one described by Gleason. From a prognostic point of view, it is of considerable interest to know how accurate the needle biopsy Gleason score is in predicting the final score of the radical prostatectomy specimen. From an outcome research point of view, it is important to recognize that a stratification of patients by Gleason score may prove correct in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy, while in patients undergoing radiation or conservative management some of the well-differentiated cancers could actually be moderately and poorly differentiated, and some of the moderately differentiated might be poorly differentiated, thus favoring radical prostatectomy in a direct comparison of treatment efficacy. We aimed to determine (1) whether such undergrading exists, (2) what the magnitude of the bias is, and (3) whether it is common and similar in different institutions. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 415 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy in three Dallas area hospitals, excluding patients who received neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery. Data of Gleason grades and score were collected from the needle biopsy and the radical prostatectomy specimen. Analysis was done using three categorization schemes for mild, moderate and poor differentiation for the three individual hospitals and the entire group. Results: The most common Gleason score by needle biopsy and prostatectomy was five. 37.2% of all patients had no change in score assignment, while 12.7% were ‘overgraded’ and 50.1% ‘undergraded’ by needle biopsy. The most common undergrading was by 1 or 2 score points. Only 23.7% of the category ‘well’ cancers remained so after surgery. Between 65.0 and 88.4% of the category ‘moderate’ cancers remained so after surgery. To determine the degree of agreement between needle biopsy and surgery category, kappa statistics were employed. The kappa value ranged from 0.148 to 0.328 for all categories and classification schemes indicating poor reproducibility. Serum prostate-specific antigen was not helpful in predicting Gleason score upgrading. Conclusions: Independent of the setting, about 50% of all Gleason score assignments made on needle biopsy specimen are revised in the direction of a worse score/category. It is important for clinicians to realize this phenomenon when consulting with patients regarding treatment choices if the grade is taken into consideration. For outcome research purposes, it is important to realize that this introduces a bias into direct comparisons between surgical and nonsurgical (radiation and watchful waiting) series favoring the outcomes of surgical series as the nonsurgical series suffer from a less favorable patient mix.