Cancer Grades and Cancer Stages

The size of a cancer and how far it has migrated from its origin are described by the cancer stage. The cancerous cell’s appearance is described by the grade. For different types of cancer, several staging systems are utilized.

Stage 0 – signifies that the cancer hasn't spread from where it started (in situ).
Stage I - the cancer is in its early stages and hasn't spread to other parts of the body.
Stage II- the cancer has progressed but it has not spread.
Stage III - the cancer has spread to the surrounding tissues and/or lymph nodes (which are part of the lymphatic system).
Stage IV - cancer has spread to at least one other body organ from where it started; sometimes known as "secondary" or "metastatic" cancer.

The morphology of cancer cells under a microscope determines the cancer's grade. A lower grade often suggests a slower-growing cancer while a higher grade indicates a faster-growing cancer. The following are the most common grading system:

Grade I - cancer cells that look and act like normal cells and aren't fast developing.
Grade II - cancer cells that do not appear to be normal and develop at a faster pace than normal cells.
Grade III - cancer cells that appear abnormal and have the potential to develop or spread more quickly.

The cancer's size, whether it has spread and the best treatment options will all be determined by staging and grading it.