Grading of renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

Recognition of the prognostic utility of renal cell carcinoma grading is not a recent development. Most pathologists in the United States use the Fuhrman grading system; however, this system is fraught with limitations and controversies. The Fuhrman grading system makes initial sense and seems simple to apply; however, it is hampered by several limitations, the foremost being that there is no consensus on the prognostic significance of the different grades of renal cell carcinoma.