The stage of cancer tells you the size of the tumor. The range is stage 1 to stage 4. The grade tells you how aggressive jt is, ranging from grade 1 to grade 3.. Stage 2a tells you your tumor is less than 5 cm, and has not gone into your lymph nodes or any other part of your body. Mine was stage 2, grade 3. They told me I was an easy fix. Ask your providers, they know your particular case better than anyone.