On July 29, 2021, Drs. Ming Zhou, Pathologist-in-Chief and Chair of Anatomic and
Clinical Pathology, Tufts Medical School, and Dr. Scott Eggener, Vice Chair of
Urology at the University of Chicago, debated this question: Is Gleason 6 a cancer?
The doctors presented their cases at the AnCan program in this video individually.
One of Eggener’s key points is that he has never seen a patient die from Gleason 6 so
why call it a cancer.
Zhou took the stand that if it looks like a cancer, which Gleason does under the
microscope, then it’s a cancer.
The question-and-answer period covered such issues as whether a high-volume Gleason 6
is more risky than a low-volume Gleason 3+4=7. Eggener argued that these Gleason 6’s
can be risky. He also said not enough men with 3+4 go in AS.
Hang in there with the video. During the Q&A, the doctors engage in an informative
and entertaining cross-fire discussion that should not be missed.
So who won?
Our poll showed that before the debate that 55% of respondents thought Gleason 6 is a
cancer with 10% thought it wasn’t a cancer. 35% were unsure.
The numbers changed dramatically after the debate.
Only 22% thought Gleason 6 is cancer.
And 47% said Gleason 6 is not a cancer. 31% were unsure.
The big changes were the steep drop of the percentage of men who now consider Gleason
6 a cancer and the steep gain in those who think Gleason 6 is not a cancer.
Dr. Eggener clearly won the debate.
See for youself at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUDQZH1oeFA