Tumour grading: communication is the key

Tumour grade used in conjunction with other prognostic parameters, such as tumour type, stage and biomarker status, is a critical determinant of patient management in several cancers, especially those that are organ-confined. Pathologists therefore strive for precise grading and there have been ongoing efforts to facilitate grading reproducibility. We explain why this focus on precision may not be necessary in some cases and highlight the critical importance of optimally communicating the histopathological findings in cases where grading is borderline. We also discuss potential issues with the current trend to reduce the number of grading categories in some tumours such as urothelial and endometrial cancers. Tumour grade is generally a biological continuum with a progressive increase in risk of adverse outcome and no quantum increase in risk at any particular cut-point. Although grade may determine management decisions, individual patients and clinicians may have a different perception of the minimum risk...
Source: Journal of Clinical Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Editor's choice Viewpoint Source Type: research