Grade
Also known as: tumour grade, histological grade
A score from the pathologist describing how abnormal the cancer cells look under the microscope.
Definition
The grade of a cancer is the pathologist's assessment of how abnormal the cells look and how quickly they appear to be dividing. Most systems use grades 1 to 3 (sometimes 1 to 4): low grade tumours look closer to normal and usually grow slowly, while high grade tumours look very abnormal and tend to grow and spread more aggressively.
Grade is different from stage, which describes how far the cancer has spread. Together, grade, stage and biomarker results guide treatment intensity and help estimate prognosis.
See also
- Staging — The process of finding out how large a cancer is and whether it has spread.
- Differentiation — How closely cancer cells resemble normal, mature cells of the tissue they came from.
- Histology — The microscopic study of tissue to identify cancer type and features.
- Prognosis — A doctor's best estimate of how a cancer is likely to behave and respond to treatment.
Related on this site
Questions about your diagnosis?
Bring your reports — we'll review them together and explain every term that matters for your care.
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rehan Abdullah
Dr. Rehan Abdullah is a dual-trained clinical and radiation oncologist with over a decade of experience treating both solid tumours and hematologic malignancies. He serves as Consultant Oncologist at INMOL Hospital and sees patients at Farooq Hospital and Healthnox Medical Center, Lahore. Read full profile →
This page is patient education, not a substitute for an in-person consultation. Cancer care must be individualised. Read our medical disclaimer →