I was told I have invasive, poorly-differentiated ductal carcinoma. What does "poorly differentiated" mean?

Topics (Tags):

Breast Cancer Poorly Differentiated Ductal Carcinoma Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) Invasive Breast Cancer

Topics:

Breast Cancer X Poorly Differentiated Ductal Carcinoma X Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) X Invasive Breast Cancer X

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DrAttai (Physician - Surgery - Breast (Verified) ) - 09 / 19 / 2011

1 vote(s) by murray

The following information is a good summary of tumor grade, taken from http://www.cancerfacts.com/DefaultSecure.asp "Tumor grade (G) is an evaluation of how abnormal a cancer cell is compared to the normal cells from which it arises. This evaluation is called the "histologic tumor grade" and is done by the pathologist when examining the biopsy specimen. Histology is the study of the microscopic structure of the cells, which helps to predict how the cancer will behave. An objective score is given to each of three structural features of the tumor. A score of 1 (the most favorable) to 3 (the least favorable) is given for each feature.

The total score determines the tumor grade. This system describes the cell in terms of how well the cancer cell resembles the normal cell from which it arises. If the cancer cell looks very much like a normal breast cell, then it is called "well-differentiated". If the cancer cell poorly resembles a normal breast cell or not at all, then it is called "poorly differentiated or undifferentiated".

GX: grade cannot be assessed, undetermined grade
G1: well differentiated (low grade) This is the most favorable grade and reflects a total score of 3-5
G2: moderately differentiated (intermediate grade) This reflects a score of 6-7
G3: poorly differentiated (high grade) This is the least favorable grade, with a score of 8-9

Different systems are used to categorize the histologic (referring to tissue) tumor grade. The NCCN currently recommends using The Nottingham combined system for grading tumors. Another classification system is the Bloom-Richardson Score. The systems are similar: the higher the score, the less favorable the tumor.

The tumor grade can influence treatment decisions, especially if additional treatment such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy is needed after surgery."

It is important to note the difference between tumor GRADE, which as described above comments on the individual cancer cell, and tumor STAGE, which refers to the size of the main tumor and the presence or absence of lymph node or distant (to other areas in the body) metastases. It is possible to have a "low grade / well-differentiated" tumor that is diagnosed at an advanced stage, and it is also possible to have a "high grade / poorly differentiated" tumor that is early-stage.

It used to be thought that stage of disease (size of tumor, presence or absence of lymph node metastases) was the most important prognostic indicator. We are learning more about how the biologic behavior (grade is just one component of the behavior of a tumor) may be more important in many cases than the stage at diagnosis.

The following information is a good summary of tumor grade, taken from http://www.cancerfacts.com/DefaultSecure.asp "Tumor grade (G) is an evaluation of how abnormal a cancer cell is compared to the normal cells from which it arises. This evaluation is called the "histologic tumor grade" and is done by the pathologist when examining the biopsy specimen. Histology is the study of the microscopic structure of the cells, which helps to predict how the cancer will behave. An objective score is given to each of three structural features of the tumor. A score of 1 (the most favorable) to 3 (the least favorable) is given for each feature.

The total score determines the tumor grade. This system describes the cell in terms of how well the cancer cell resembles the normal cell from which it arises. If the cancer cell looks very much like a normal breast cell, then it is called "well-differentiated". If the cancer cell poorly resembles a normal breast cell or not at all, then it is called "poorly differentiated or undifferentiated".

GX: grade cannot be assessed, undetermined grade 
G1: well differentiated (low grade) This is the most favorable grade and reflects a total score of 3-5
G2: moderately differentiated (intermediate grade) This reflects a score of 6-7
G3: poorly differentiated (high grade) This is the least favorable grade, with a score of 8-9

Different systems are used to categorize the histologic (referring to tissue) tumor grade. The NCCN currently recommends using The Nottingham combined system for grading tumors. Another classification system is the Bloom-Richardson Score. The systems are similar: the higher the score, the less favorable the tumor.

The tumor grade can influence treatment decisions, especially if additional treatment such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy is needed after surgery."

It is important to note the difference between tumor GRADE, which as described above comments on the individual cancer cell, and tumor STAGE, which refers to the size of the main tumor and the presence or absence of lymph node or distant (to other areas in the body) metastases. It is possible to have a "low grade / well-differentiated" tumor that is diagnosed at an advanced stage, and it is also possible to have a "high grade / poorly differentiated" tumor that is early-stage.

It used to be thought that stage of disease (size of tumor, presence or absence of lymph node metastases) was the most important prognostic indicator. We are learning more about how the biologic behavior (grade is just one component of the behavior of a tumor) may be more important in many cases than the stage at diagnosis.

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member9742 (Friend) - 03 / 23 / 2011

"Poorly differentiated" refers to the stage of maturation that ductal cells have achieved when they become cancers. To better appreciate the "poorly differentiated" part, it makes sense to think about how our body forms (or replaces) the cells that make up, say a mammary (or even, say, a pancreatic) duct.

For the most part, all body cells have essentially the same DNA and start out with the potential to form most any sort of tissue: ductal tissue, flesh, hair, etcetera ("pluripotent" for the potential to form many different sorts of tissues). Signals in the body then tell a group of cells to specialize in performing certain functions, and that "specialization" is what's called differentiation. So ductal cells specialize in secreting particular substances, while, say, epithelial cells making up breast tissue or more superficial skin structures specialize in other functions. And we say that a mostly undifferentiated or pluripotent cell (cell with the potential for a plurality of fates) differentiates to become a ductal cell. After a cell becomes fully differentiated, it looks like its kindred...much like, say high school/college students have the potential to become any sort of professional, pro-athletes of a given sport(e.g. ice skating), with lots of specialized training, start to look more alike and are less likely to become, say, pro-football players. Far from pluripotent, those guys are far more differentiated, with their immediate occupational fate already set.

"Poorly differentiated" carcinoma refers to the amount of differentiation that has been achieved in the cells when the carcinoma developed....It's based on what the carcinoma cells look like under a microscope. If they barely resemble fully developed (differentiated) ductal cells then they're poorly differentiated.

Hope this helps!

"Poorly differentiated" refers to the stage of maturation that ductal cells have achieved when they become cancers.  To better appreciate the "poorly differentiated" part, it makes sense to think about how our body forms (or replaces) the cells that make up, say a mammary (or even, say, a pancreatic) duct.

For the most part, all body cells have essentially the same DNA and start out with the potential to form most any sort of tissue: ductal tissue, flesh, hair, etcetera ("pluripotent" for the potential to form many different sorts of tissues).  Signals in the body then tell a group of cells to specialize in performing certain functions, and that "specialization" is what's called differentiation.  So ductal cells specialize in secreting particular substances, while, say, epithelial cells making up breast tissue or more superficial skin structures specialize in other functions.  And we say that a mostly undifferentiated or pluripotent cell (cell with the potential for a plurality of fates) differentiates to become a ductal cell.  After a cell becomes fully differentiated, it looks like its kindred...much like, say high school/college students have the potential to become any sort of professional, pro-athletes of a given sport(e.g. ice skating), with lots of specialized training, start to look more alike and are less likely to become, say, pro-football players.  Far from pluripotent, those guys are far more differentiated, with their immediate occupational fate already set.

"Poorly differentiated" carcinoma refers to the amount of differentiation that has been achieved in the cells when the carcinoma developed....It's based on what the carcinoma cells look like under a microscope.  If they barely resemble fully developed (differentiated) ductal cells then they're poorly differentiated.

Hope this helps!

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The following information is a good summary of tumor grade, taken from http://www.cancerfacts.com/DefaultSecure.asp "Tumor grade (G) is an evaluation of how abnormal a cancer cell is compared to the normal cells from which it arises. This evaluation is called the "histologic tumor grade" and is done by the pathologist when examining the biopsy specimen. Histology is the study of the microscopic structure of the cells, which helps to predict how the cancer will behave. An objective score is given to each of three structural features of the tumor. A score of 1 (the most favorable) to 3 (the least favorable) is given for each feature.

The total score determines the tumor grade. This system describes the cell in terms of how well the cancer cell resembles the normal cell from which it arises. If the cancer cell looks very much like a normal breast cell, then it is called "well-differentiated". If the cancer cell poorly resembles a normal breast cell or not at all, then it is called "poorly differentiated or undifferentiated".

GX: grade cannot be assessed, undetermined grade
G1: well differentiated (low grade) This is the most favorable grade and reflects a total score of 3-5
G2: moderately differentiated (intermediate grade) This reflects a score of 6-7
G3: poorly differentiated (high grade) This is the least favorable grade, with a score of 8-9

Different systems are used to categorize the histologic (referring to tissue) tumor grade. The NCCN currently recommends using The Nottingham combined system for grading tumors. Another classification system is the Bloom-Richardson Score. The systems are similar: the higher the score, the less favorable the tumor.

The tumor grade can influence treatment decisions, especially if additional treatment such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy is needed after surgery."

It is important to note the difference between tumor GRADE, which as described above comments on the individual cancer cell, and tumor STAGE, which refers to the size of the main tumor and the presence or absence of lymph node or distant (to other areas in the body) metastases. It is possible to have a "low grade / well-differentiated" tumor that is diagnosed at an advanced stage, and it is also possible to have a "high grade / poorly differentiated" tumor that is early-stage.

It used to be thought that stage of disease (size of tumor, presence or absence of lymph node metastases) was the most important prognostic indicator. We are learning more about how the biologic behavior (grade is just one component of the behavior of a tumor) may be more important in many cases than the stage at diagnosis.

The following information is a good summary of tumor grade, taken from  http://www.cancerfacts.com/DefaultSecure.asp  "Tumor grade (G) is an evaluation of how abnormal a cancer cell is compared to the normal cells from which it arises. This evaluation is called the "histologic tumor grade" and is done by the pathologist when examining the biopsy specimen. Histology is the study of the microscopic structure of the cells, which helps to predict how the cancer will behave. An objective score is given to each of three structural features of the tumor. A score of 1 (the most favorable) to 3 (the least favorable) is given for each feature.

The total score determines the tumor grade. This system describes the cell in terms of how well the cancer cell resembles the normal cell from which it arises. If the cancer cell looks very much like a normal breast cell, then it is called "well-differentiated". If the cancer cell poorly resembles a normal breast cell or not at all, then it is called "poorly differentiated or undifferentiated".

GX: grade cannot be assessed, undetermined grade 
    G1: well differentiated (low grade) This is the most favorable grade and reflects a total score of 3-5
    G2: moderately differentiated (intermediate grade) This reflects a score of 6-7
    G3: poorly differentiated (high grade) This is the least favorable grade, with a score of 8-9

Different systems are used to categorize the histologic (referring to tissue) tumor grade. The NCCN currently recommends using The Nottingham combined system for grading tumors. Another classification system is the Bloom-Richardson Score. The systems are similar: the higher the score, the less favorable the tumor.

The tumor grade can influence treatment decisions, especially if additional treatment such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy is needed after surgery."

It is important to note the difference between tumor GRADE, which as described above comments on the individual cancer cell, and tumor STAGE, which refers to the size of the main tumor and the presence or absence of lymph node or distant (to other areas in the body) metastases. It is possible to have a "low grade / well-differentiated" tumor that is diagnosed at an advanced stage, and it is also possible to have a "high grade / poorly differentiated" tumor that is early-stage.

It used to be thought that stage of disease (size of tumor, presence or absence of lymph node metastases) was the most important prognostic indicator. We are learning more about how the biologic behavior (grade is just one component of the behavior of a tumor) may be more important in many cases than the stage at diagnosis.

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DrAttai
- 09/18/2011