A 65-year-old man has a routine screening examination, and his serum prostate- specific antigen (PSA) level is found to be 6.7 ng/mL. Digital rectal examination reveals a mildly enlarged prostate gland, but no discrete nodules. One year ago, his PSA was 2.1 ng/mL. The patient is referred to a urologist who performs a biopsy of the gland. Biopsy specimen shows adenocarcinoma of the prostate with a Gleason score of 9. Which of the following best describes his prognosis on the basis of his Gleason score?

Related MCQs

• A 76-year-old man was diagnosed with prostate cancer 8 years ago. At that time he had a serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 12 ng/mL, a Gleason score of 6, and a clinical stage of T2b (organ-confined on digital rectal examination but involving both lobes of the prostate gland). He was treated with external-beam radiation therapy, and his PSA level dropped to a low of 1.4 ng/mL. Four years later, his PSA level began to rise and now is 14.1 ng/mL. A recent bone scan and CT scans revealed no metastatic disease. His urologist has suggested initiating a course of leuprolide. Which of the following is a potential side effect of leuprolide that the patient should be informed about before commencing therapy?
• Four years ago, a 67-year-old man had a serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 16 ng/mL. Biopsy specimen showed adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland. His Gleason score was 7. He was treated with external-beam radiation therapy. One month ago, the patient noted fatigue and rib pain. His PSA was found to be 87 ng/mL, and bone scan revealed diffuse metastatic disease. What is the best treatment for this patient?
• A 64-year-old white man presents for serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening at his wife‟s urging. He is in generally good health, except for mild hypertension. His digital rectal examination reveals a mildly enlarged prostate gland with no discrete nodules. He has no family history of prostate cancer. What is the best advice to give him?
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• A 40-year-old woman was treated for breast cancer 5 years ago by lumpectomy, breast irradiation, and 3 months of chemotherapy. Her original cancer was negative for estrogen and progesterone receptors and unequivocally positive for HER2. Her periods stopped during chemotherapy but resumed 4 months later, and she remains premenopausal now. She is evaluated now because of pain in her back, a nagging cough, and fatigue. Physical examination shows palpable skin nodules over the affected breast, axillary adenopathy, and dullness to percussion, and decreased breath sounds in the base of the left lung; her liver edge is palpable below the right costochondral border. Liver function values are approximately twice normal; serum bilirubin is normal. Radiograph of the chest shows multiple pulmonary nodules and a left pleural effusion confirmed by CT, which also shows the liver nodules. Bone scan and MRI are consistent with bone metastases. Biopsy of one of the skin lesions is consistent with metast
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