Jeremy Slawin, MD, MBA, presented “Gleason 6 (GG1) – Should It Be Called Prostate Cancer?” at the 27th Annual Innovations in Urologic Practice conference on September 22nd, 2023.
How to cite: Slawin, Jeremy. “Gleason 6 (GG1) – Should It Be Called Prostate Cancer?.” September 2023. Accessed Dec 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/gleason-6-gg1-should-it-be-called-prostate-cancer/
Gleason 6 (GG1) – Should It Be Called Prostate Cancer? – Summary
Jeremy Slawin, MD, MBA, presents arguments for and against the reclassification of Gleason 6 (GG1) as something other than prostate cancer. He begins with a brief overview of the definition and perception of prostate cancer, and the psychological burdens and implications which come with cancer diagnoses.
Dr. Slawin then addresses the growing momentum in favor of a change in nomenclature for Gleason 6 (GG1) that does not include the word “cancer,” as has been done for diseases like noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like features (NIFTP), formerly called papillary thyroid cancer. Dr. Slawin presents data supporting the idea that GG1 is closer to pre-cancer in clinical behavior, detection, and management, and that calling it cancer may drive overtreatment of GG1.
Dr. Slawin then turns to arguments against the reclassification of GG1. He addresses the issue of undersampling in biopsies which lead to GG1 diagnoses, the risk of under-grading, and how failing to call GG1 “cancer” could give a false perception of risk and lower the already-low patient compliance rates in active surveillance treatment.
Dr. Slawin concludes by giving his perspective on the issue of changing the nomenclature for GG1. He, along with most pathologists, is not in favor of reclassifying GG1, and leads a Q&A with the audience to gather their perspectives.
About The 27th Annual Innovations in Urologic Practice:
Presented by co-chairs Mohit Khera, MD, MBA, MPH, and Michael Coburn, MD, FACS, the Innovations in Urologic Practice conference provides a detailed review and commentary on multiple genitourinary and urologic diseases. Among the featured oncological topics are bladder cancer and immunotherapies, as well as upper tract cancer management, prostate cancer, including state-of-the-art imaging, focal therapy, and MRI. Experts also discuss new tools and techniques for nephrectomy and treating advanced renal cell carcinoma. In terms of general urological approaches, the conference also includes pelvic reconstruction and trauma; men’s health topics like male infertility, andrology, and sexual dysfunction; OAB and voiding dysfunctions; and ways to diagnose and treat infections in the urology patient.
For further educational activities from this conference, visit our collection page.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeremy Slawin, MD, MBA, is an Assistant Professor of Urology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and a staff surgeon at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas. Dr. Slawin earned his MD from Baylor College of Medicine and his MBA from Rice University. Dr. Slawin completed a fellowship in robotic surgery and urologic oncology at Houston Methodist Hospital. Dr. Slawin completed his residency in urology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine at Langone Medical Center at Bellevue Hospital and at the Manhattan VA Hospital in New York City, New York.
