Am I a candidate for active surveillance of my prostate cancer?
Men who are diagnosed with low to intermediate grade prostate cancer (Gleason score of less than or equal to 3+4=7) may be candidates for active surveillance rather than treatment.
The Genomic Prostate Score® (GPS) test can help provide certainty to that decision. This PCM test provides a genomic profile that screens for the activation of 17 genes associated with prostate cancer.
Created for patients with organ-confined prostate cancer, the GPS test helps provide more information so patients can make a decision about seeking definitive treatment or working with their healthcare provider on an active surveillance plan. The tissue-based prostate cancer marker (PCM) analyzes prostate cancer positive tissue from the patient’s initial biopsy for the activation of 17 specific genes associated with prostate cancer. The test then uses an algorithm that combines the results of the 17-gene panel coupled with an individual’s prostate cancer risk using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk category (very low risk, low risk, intermediate risk). Results can lead to better decisions about whether additional testing is needed, if treatment should be pursued, or if active surveillance may be appropriate.
GPS Video
Learn more about how the Genomic Prostate Score can help determine if active surveillance is appropriate for low-grade prostate cancer.
Understanding Your GPS Test Results
GPS is a powerful test for men with organ confined prostate cancer looking for more insights about whether or not to pursue treatment or an active surveillance protocol. See a sample GPS test result and learn more about how to interpret the result report. All Oncotype DX GPS results should be reviewed with a healthcare provider first.
Genomic Prostate Score FAQs
Below is an initial list of frequently asked questions about GPS.
Prostate cancer biomarkers (PCMs) are molecules found in blood, tissue, or body fluids. PCMs are revolutionary new, non-invasive diagnostic tests that may help your healthcare provider decide if your prostate cancer is in fact low risk, if something more aggressive may be lurking in your prostate, or if there are hot spots in the prostate that may need to be re-evaluated upon biopsy. PCMs also can help you and your healthcare provider determine the most appropriate treatment for your cancer.
There are many factors that will make one prostate cancer marker test better suited for individual cases. Many times, individuals who have never had a biopsy or had low to intermediate grade prostate cancer (Gleason 3+3=6 or 3+4=7) diagnosed on a biopsy are well suited for blood or urine prostate cancer markers, whereas individuals who have persistently negative biopsies or a biopsy of intermediate to high grade cancer may benefit from tissue prostate cancer markers. Use this interactive questionnaire to see what tests may be right for you. Once you’ve completed the questionnaire, discuss the results with your healthcare provider. Also be sure to check out our Patient Journey section that may help you decide which test is right for you.
If you have a negative or atypical biopsy and are wanting more insights about prostate cancer risk, you might consider the tissue-based PCM test:
If your prostate biopsy has a Gleason Score of less than or equal to 7 or if your prostate biopsy has a Gleason Score greater than 7 and you have not yet undergone treatment (surgery or radiation), you and your healthcare provider might consider these tissue-based PCM tests:
If your prostate biopsy has a Gleason Score greater than 7 and you have already undergone treatment, please see Waypoint 4 for additional PCM tests to consider.
Men who have a PSA < 20 ng/ml, have low or intermediate grade(Gleason 3+3=6 or 3+4=7) prostate cancer diagnosed via biopsy, and who have not received definitive therapy for their prostate cancer could benefit from the GPS test.
The Genomic Prostate Score test results determine if a patient may be a candidate for interventional therapy or if active surveillance could be appropriate. The test predicts prostate cancer specific metastasis (spread outside the prostate), mortality (death caused by prostate cancer) and risk of harboring adverse pathology. GPS results are provided as a Genomic Prostate Score (GPS) between 0 and 100. This score can provide information about the:
- Likelihood of freedom from high grade and/or non- organ-confined disease.
- Risk of prostate cancer death within 10 years (0-100%)
- Risk of prostate cancer metastasis within 10 years (0-100%)
- Risk of adverse pathology (>4+3 or pT3+) elsewhere in the prostate
See a sample GPS result report and learn more about interpreting these results.
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Explore more information about GPS.