What Is Low-Grade / High-Grade Dysplasia?

Dysplasia means the biopsy shows changes in the normal structure of the cells that can carry a risk of turning into cancer.

• Low-grade dysplasia: the cells show milder changes.
• High-grade dysplasia: the cells show more advanced changes, and the risk of cancer developing is higher.

Important: what these changes mean and how much risk they carry differs depending on the organ they are found in (such as the stomach, the oesophagus or the bowel).

Finding dysplasia does not necessarily mean you have cancer. However, depending on where the biopsy was taken and on the grade of the dysplasia, your doctor will plan follow-up, further tests or treatment.