Back
Print 

Stage and grade of cancer

Skip Navigation

Top of the page

The stage and grade of a cancer are ways to measure the cancer. When cancer is diagnosed, the stage and grade of a person's cancer helps doctors know what treatment to use. They also help predict how long the person will survive or whether there is a good chance for a cure.

The stage describes how much cancer is in the body and where it is located. If the cancer has spread, the stage will also show how far it has spread.

The grade describes how tumor cells look under a microscope compared to cells from healthy tissue near the tumor. The tumor grade helps predict how quickly the cancer will grow and spread.

Current as of: October 25, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: October 25, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.