Cancer grading begins with a biopsy, where a sample of the tumor is removed. The sample is then processed and stained to enhance cellular details. A histologist or pathologist examines the stained tissue under a microscope, looking for specific features such as:
- Cellular Differentiation: How much the cancer cells resemble normal cells. Well-differentiated cells look more like normal cells and usually indicate a lower grade. - Mitotic Activity: The number of cells undergoing mitosis. Higher mitotic rates generally indicate higher grades. - Nuclear Pleomorphism: The variability in size, shape, and appearance of the cell nuclei. Greater pleomorphism is often associated with higher-grade cancers.
