5 Facts About the Genomic Prostate Score

Every 20 minutes in the U.S., a man dies from prostate cancer. The genomic prostate score (GPS) is an important way to better understand each individual’s cancer and determine the appropriate treatment path.

Here are some helpful facts about the genomic prostate score.

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1. According to Zero Cancer, genomic testing relies on cancerous tissue samples taken from the prostate gland. The cells are analyzed to determine how aggressive a patient’s cancer is and how quickly it is likely to spread to other parts of the body.

2. The genomic prostate score is the result of a test called the Oncotype DX prostate cancer test, says MyProstateCancerTreatment.org. The score helps guide physicians in developing the best customized treatment plan for each patient.

3. MyProstateCancerTreatment.org explains that the genomic prostate score, together with another set of guidelines set forth by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, are used to determine the level of risk for a patient’s prostate cancer. Very high-risk cancer patients are generally not candidates for the Oncotype DX test, however.

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4. The University of California San Francisco says that for men with very low-risk, non-aggressive prostate cancer, a strategy called active surveillance is a viable approach. With active surveillance, the cancer is not actually treated. Instead it is closely monitored through blood tests and biopsies to determine if and when treatment becomes necessary. The genomic prostate score can help physicians determine which prostate cancer patients are good candidates for this approach, saving patients from the adverse side affects associated with invasive treatment.

Prostate cancer is a significant health concern for men. The Oncotype DX test and the genomic prostate score is an emerging means of assessing risk, customizing treatment plans, and ensuring that patients get the appropriate level of care for their cancer.

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