Tumor grading. An important prognostic factor in renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

In a detailed historical review, the attempt is made to discuss most of the studies which refer to the positive correlation between prognosis and tumor cell grading, either by cell type, cell differentiation or cytophotometry. The presence of small, highly malignant areas in a homogeneous low-grade tumor detected only by DNA-cytophotometry seems to be responsible for a course equivalent to that of less differentiated tumors. This stresses the prognostic significance of tumor cell differentiation.