Prostate Cancer Cells & Normal Cells

This photo shows cells taken from sample tissue of the prostate gland. On the left are cancerous cells. They are arranged in a crowded pattern and the cells are small.

Compare these prostate cancer cells to the normal healthy cells on the right. These normal cells are larger in size and have more space between them.

Physicians often analyze the arrangement of prostate cancer cells and grade them. Their pattern of arrangement can reflect how aggressive the cancer has become & can help a physician to determine an appropriate course of treatment. This is known as Gleason grading. In the example above, it is probable that a Gleason grade of 3/3 would be given.