NAACCR Item #3844: Grade Pathological

Item # Length Source of Standard Year Implemented Version Implemented Year Retired Version Retired
3,844 1 NAACCR 2018 18

NAACCR XML: Tumor.gradePathological

Description

This data item records the grade of a solid primary tumor that has been resected and for which no neoadjuvant therapy was administered. If AJCC staging is being assigned, the tumor must have met the surgical resection requirements in the AJCC manual. This may include the grade from the clinical workup.

Record the highest grade documented from any microscopic specimen of the primary site whether from the clinical workup or the surgical resection.

For cases diagnosed January 1, 2018, and later, this data item, along with Grade Clinical and Grade Post-Neoadjuvant, replaces NAACCR Data Item Grade [440] as well as SSF’s for cancer sites with alternative grading systems (e.g., breast [Bloom-Richardson], prostate [Gleason]).

Rationale

Grade is a measure of the aggressiveness of the tumor. Grade and cell type are important prognostic indicators for many cancers. For some sites, grade is required to assign the pathological stage group.

For those cases that are eligible AJCC staging, the recommended grading system is specified in the AJCC Chapter. The AJCC Chapter-specific grading systems (codes 1-5) take priority over the generic grade definitions (codes A-E, L, H, 9). For those cases that are not eligible for AJCC staging, if the recommended grading system is not documented, the generic grade definitions would apply.

Each Site-Specific Data Item (SSDI) applies only to selected primary sites, histologies, and years of diagnosis. Depending on applicability and standard-setter requirements, SSDIs may be left blank. Leave blank for cases diagnosed prior to 2018.