The Fuhrman grade is a system used to classify the aggressiveness of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which is the most common type of kidney cancer. Developed by Gary A. Fuhrman in the 1980s, this grading system helps pathologists and oncologists evaluate how cancer cells look under a microscope compared to normal kidney cells. The Fuhrman grading system is based on four grades, with the grade increasing as the appearance of the cancer cells deviates more from the appearance of normal cells:
The Fuhrman grade is used alongside other factors, such as the stage of the cancer, to guide treatment decisions and help predict outcomes for patients with renal cell carcinoma. However, it’s important to note that in recent years, the use of the Fuhrman grading system has been somewhat superseded by the World Health Organization (WHO)/International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grading system, particularly for clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinoma. The WHO/ISUP system, introduced in 2012 and updated in 2016, is considered to provide a more reproducible and prognostically relevant grading framework.
This article was written by doctors to help you read and understand your pathology report. Contact us if you have questions about this article or your pathology report. For a complete introduction to your pathology report, read this article.