JohnT said that all cancers share one fundamental trait: the abnormal growth of cells. I'm sure that's accurate, but I'm not sure it's complete.
The National Cancer Insititute's web page says that, "Cancer is a term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and are able to invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. Some abnormal growths do not have that ability and do not pose that threat, and are not deemed to be cancer.
Certain abnormal growths, it seems to me, like moles and cysts are not cancerous. They're judged to be benign, while others, because they have the ability to invade other tissues, are judged to be cancer.
So, I guess until the oncologists and other experts can assure us all that Gleason 6 cancer is actually a benign growth, incapable of invading other tissues, I think I would continue to regard it as a cancer. Meanwhile the various moles on my body are abnormal growths that in their present state do not represent cancer....though that can certainly change, which is why an annual visit to the dermatologist is a real good idea.
To me, the question of whether or not Gleason 6 tumors should be considered cancer is irrelevant. Most physicians certainly consider them to be cancer. The issue for me is not whether or not they're cancer, but what course of treatment, if any, is appropriate in each specific case, with no one-size-fits-all answer to that question.
Post Edited (clocknut) : 5/6/2012 2:42:37 PM (GMT-6)