tumor grade

Tumor grade describes how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope and how quickly they are likely to grow and spread. Low-grade tumors resemble normal cells and tend to grow slowly, often indicating a better outlook. High-grade tumors have more abnormal cells, tend to grow faster, and are more likely to spread quickly. The grade helps doctors estimate the tumor's behavior and plan appropriate treatment. It’s an important factor alongside other information, like tumor size and stage, in understanding the overall picture of the disease.