Cribriform

Cribriform refers to a specific growth pattern of cancer cells characterized by the formation of multiple, small, hole-like structures (lumina) within a solid mass of cells. This pattern is considered an indicator of aggressive cancer and is often associated with higher Gleason scores and poorer outcomes.

Cribriform patterns are linked to increased risks of metastasis (cancer spreading to other parts of the body) and disease-specific death, particularly in men with Gleason score 7 (3+4) prostate cancer.

I just find it odd/interesting that Walsh doesn’t ever mention it

The latest edition of the book seems to be the fifth edition produced in 2023. A lot of the information about Cribriform has been discussed in the last year. That book had to be updated in 2022.

When I look at my brothers biopsy it reports small cribriform in April 2022. So UCSF was aware of it but Walsh apparently didn’t consider it important to put in the book.

I’ll bet the next edition has it.

Cribriform and IDC formations were not recognized as separate entities that needed to be observed and noted in biopsy until relatively recently and only in couple of past years their implication became obvious since a lot of research happened in that area. Now not only is cribriform recognized and reported , it is classified in subgroups also. Large cribriform are considered extra aggressive. Same applies to IDC. Having those features in one's pathology report puts a patient in separate group of PC patients that have increased risk of metastasis and biological recurrence . Having small cribriform indicates lesser aggressiveness than big cribriform but having them at all is not a good sign.