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Grade Group System

Meaning

The Grade Group System is a modern pathological classification method used to grade prostate cancer based on the cellular architecture observed in biopsy or surgical specimens. This system assigns a score from Grade Group 1 (least aggressive) to Grade Group 5 (most aggressive), replacing and refining the older Gleason Score system for better prognostic stratification. This clear, five-tiered structure provides a more intuitive and clinically actionable tool for communicating cancer severity to patients and guiding treatment decisions, ranging from active surveillance to aggressive therapy. The grade group is a cornerstone in determining the appropriate therapeutic approach for prostate malignancy.