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cribriform pattern cancer

User
Posted 12 Feb 2026 at 08:40

Hi,

I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer gleason score 4+3. PSA of 20, on the 8th of January. 

I then had a telephone consultation with a surgeon about removal. After the consultation I received a letter from the surgeon about removal of prostate and on that letter he named i have a cribriform pattern cancer. That does put the wind up me a bit, as nobody mentioned that previously. 

Has anybody on here any experience of this type of cancer pattern 

Richard 

User
Posted 12 Feb 2026 at 11:28
It is a more loosely defined cells often referred to as looking like Swiss cheese due to the holes. It is linked to more aggressive outcomes if not treated. It doesn’t really change your treatment options and outcome.

If for example you were 3+4 you could choose to go on active surveillance, but with cribriform that would increase the risks. Likely getting a treat now recommendation.

User
Posted 12 Feb 2026 at 11:44

Cheers John. it was a new one on me, but you learn a lot faster on this forum. 

Edited by member 12 Feb 2026 at 11:45  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 12 Feb 2026 at 13:24

Hi Richard, as I understand it cribriform is a specific type of grade 4 prostate cancer which is a bit more aggressive than other types of grade 4. As John has said it doesn't really change your treatment except that, if you were a 3+4 and the 4 was cribriform, then this would probably rule out active surveillance which might otherwise have been an option. But as you are 4+3 you will probably need treatment anyway.

If you want to find out a bit more detail, (though you don't really need to) ,then here is a link to a video by Dr Scholz, an American expert whose videos are widely watched by member of this forum.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bgmkwpD4Zo

I only discovered that I had cribriform pattern from my pathology report after my prostatectomy, and I didn't really know what it meant for a long time. But that was more than 5 years ago, and I am still doing OK

Best wishes, Kevin

User
Posted 12 Feb 2026 at 13:45

Thanks for the reply Kevin,  and great to know you're doing good 👍 

 
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