A pathology report is a detailed written explanation or description of test results that becomes a permanent part of your medical record.
The pathologist prepares this report after:
Pathology reports generally include:
The pathology report will include descriptions of:
In the case of cancer, the pathology report may include:
Other tests can determine if the cancer has spread or provide information about prognosis.
Your doctor will use this information to manage your disease and create a treatment plan.
The pathology report may be ready in as soon as two or three days after the biopsy is taken. If additional testing of the tissue is necessary, the report may take longer to complete (between seven and 14 days).
Pathology reports are written in technical language using many medical terms.
Your doctor can explain any words or information that you don’t understand. He or she can also put the contents of the pathology report into perspective by explaining what the test results and diagnosis mean for you and your treatment plan.
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