a pathologists report shows the results of the examination of tissue taken from the patient

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Pathology Reports - NCI - National Cancer Institute

33 hours ago A pathology report is a document that contains the diagnosis determined by examining cells and tissues under a microscope. The report may also contain information about the size, shape, and appearance of a specimen as it looks to the naked eye. This information is known as the gross description. >> Go To The Portal


A pathology report is a medical document written by a pathologist. A pathologist is a doctor who diagnoses disease by: The report gives a diagnosis based on the pathologist’s examination of a sample of tissue taken from the patient’s tumor. This sample of tissue, called a specimen, is removed during a biopsy.

Full Answer

How does a pathologist make a diagnosis from tissue samples?

For larger tissue samples, the pathologist selects the parts of the tissue that looks and/or feels abnormal as well as some of the normal tissue for processing to make microscopic slides. Most of the time, the pathologist can make a diagnosis based on this first level of tissue examination.

What happens in a pathology report?

After identifying the tissue as cancerous, the pathologist may perform additional tests to get more information about the tumor that cannot be determined by looking at the tissue with routine stains, such as hematoxylin and eosin (also known as H&E), under a microscope ( 2 ). The pathology report will include the results of these tests.

Why should the pathologist review prior pathology material before examining new tissue?

If you have had more than one operation with tissue removed, the pathologist should review your prior pathology material before examining your newest tissue. This prevents mistakes being made in your diagnosis and staging.

How long after tissue sample is taken will pathology report be ready?

How long after the tissue sample is taken will the pathology report be ready? The pathologist sends a pathology report to the doctor within 10 days after the biopsy or surgery is performed. Pathology reports are written in technical medical language.

What does a pathology report show?

A pathology report is a document that contains the diagnosis determined by examining cells and tissues under a microscope. The report may also contain information about the size, shape, and appearance of a specimen as it looks to the naked eye. This information is known as the gross description.

What is a tissue exam by pathologist?

A pathology report is a written medical record of a tissue diagnosis. A tissue diagnosis is the diagnosis made when a piece of tissue is examined by a pathologist, a doctor who is trained to examine tissue. He or she interprets the findings in tissue and makes a diagnosis.

What is surgical pathology report?

The surgical pathology report is the record of the pathologist's findings from examining the tissue that is removed during an operation.

What does a pathologist look for in a biopsy to determine if a tissue is a cancer?

After doctors obtain the biopsy, the sample goes to a pathologist who analyzes the appearance of the cells under a microscope and determines whether the tissue that was removed is benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

What is histopathology report?

Histopathology report. A report produced by a Pathologist describing the tissue taken at surgery. There are two main types of report: 1) a biopsy report which helps in the diagnosis of the medical condition and 2) a surgical resection, where all the tissue removed during surgical treatment is examined.

What is biopsy report?

A biopsy report describes the findings of a specimen. It contains the following information: Gross description. A gross description describes how it looks to the naked eye and where the biopsy was taken from. It may include a description of the color, size, and texture of the specimen.

What do surgical pathologists do?

Surgical pathology is the study of tissues removed from living patients during surgery to help diagnose a disease and determine a treatment plan. Often, the surgical pathologist provides consultation services in a wide variety of organ systems and medical subspecialties.

What is a tissue test?

A tissue type test is a blood test that identifies substances called antigens on the surface of body cells and tissues. Checking the antigens can tell if donor tissue is safe (compatible) for transplant to another person. This test may also be called human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing.

What is called pathology?

Pathology is a branch of medical science that involves the study and diagnosis of disease through the examination of surgically removed organs, tissues (biopsy samples), bodily fluids, and in some cases the whole body (autopsy).

How do pathologists diagnose diseases?

Pathologists often work with a surgically removed sample of diseased tissue, called a biopsy. The pathological examination of an entire body is an autopsy. Pathologists are often involved in the diagnosis of illness. A pathologist may examine a sample of tissue for a virus, bacteria, or other infectious agents.

How do you get biopsy results?

Your GP, hospital consultant or practice nurse will give you your results and explain what they mean. A biopsy is sometimes inconclusive, which means it hasn't produced a definitive result. In this case, the biopsy may need to be repeated, or other tests may be required to confirm your diagnosis.

How do pathologists distinguish between normal and cancer cells?

In contrast to normal cells, cancer cells often exhibit much more variability in cell size—some are larger than normal and some are smaller than normal. In addition, cancer cells often have an abnormal shape, both of the cell, and of the nucleus (the “brain” of the cell.)

What is a pathology report?

A pathology report is a document that contains the diagnosis determined by examining cells and tissues under a microscope. The report may also cont...

How is tissue obtained for examination by the pathologist?

In most cases, a doctor needs to do a biopsy or surgery to remove cells or tissues for examination under a microscope. Some common ways a biopsy ca...

How is tissue processed after a biopsy or surgery? What is a frozen section?

The tissue removed during a biopsy or surgery must be cut into thin sections, placed on slides, and stained with dyes before it can be examined und...

How long after the tissue sample is taken will the pathology report be ready?

The pathologist sends a pathology report to the doctor within 10 days after the biopsy or surgery is performed. Pathology reports are written in te...

What information does a pathology report usually include?

The pathology report may include the following information ( 1 ): Patient information: Name, birth date, biopsy date Gross description: Color, weig...

What might the pathology report say about the physical and chemical characteristics of the tissue?

After identifying the tissue as cancerous, the pathologist may perform additional tests to get more information about the tumor that cannot be dete...

What information about the genetics of the cells might be included in the pathology report?

Cytogenetics uses tissue culture and specialized techniques to provide genetic information about cells, particularly genetic alterations. Some gene...

Can individuals get a second opinion about their pathology results?

Although most cancers can be easily diagnosed, sometimes patients or their doctors may want to get a second opinion about the pathology results ( 1...

What research is being done to improve the diagnosis of cancer?

NCI, a component of the National Institutes of Health, is sponsoring clinical trials that are designed to improve the accuracy and specificity of c...

What is a pathology report?

Reading a Pathology Report. A pathology report is a medical document written by a pathologist. A pathologist is a doctor who diagnoses disease by: The report gives a diagnosis based on the pathologist’s examination of a sample of tissue taken from the patient’s tumor. This sample of tissue, called a specimen, is removed during a biopsy.

Why is the pathology report for a biopsy different from a later report for the entire tumor?

This happens because the features of a tumor can sometimes vary in different areas. Your doctor will consider all of the reports to develop a treatment plan specific to you.

What does it mean when a pathologist tests a tumor?

A cancerous tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread to other parts of the body. A noncancerous, or benign tumor, means the tumor can grow but will not spread.

What is a positive lymph node?

Lymph nodes are tiny, bean-shaped organs that help fight disease. A lymph node is called “positive” when it contains cancer and “negative” when it does not. A tumor that has grown into blood or lymph vessels is more likely to have spread elsewhere. If the pathologist sees this, he or she will include it in the report.

What is a low grade tumor?

Tumors with fewer dividing cells are usually low grade. Tumor margin. Another important factor is whether there are cancer cells at the margins, or edges, of the biopsy sample. A “positive” or “involved” margin means there are cancer cells in the margin.

What is a biopsy report?

The report gives a diagnosis based on the pathologist’s examination of a sample of tissue taken from the patient’s tumor. This sample of tissue, called a specimen, is removed during a biopsy. Learn about the various types of biopsies.

What is grade in cancer?

Grade. Grade describes how the cancer cells look compared with healthy cells. In general, the pathologist is looking for differences in the size, shape, and staining features of the cells. A tumor with cells that look more like healthy cells is called "low grade" or "well differentiated.".

How do pathologists examine tissue?

First, the pathologist examines the tissue with his/her eyes and fingers to find abnormalities. If the piece of tissue is large, the pathologist will cut it into many slices so s/he can find small lesions that may be hidden in the tissue.

What is a pathology report?

A pathology report is a written medical record of a tissue diagnosis. A tissue diagnosis is the diagnosis made when a piece of tissue is examined by a pathologist, a doctor who is trained to examine tissue. He or she interprets the findings in tissue and makes a diagnosis.

What is tissue removed for diagnosis?

Tissue removed for pathologic diagnosis fall into two general categories: Tissue that is removed to make a diagnosis but not to treat a lesion is called a biopsy . Biopsies can be very small pieces of tissue such as those obtained with a needle or they can be larger with stitches needed to close the hole left from removing the tissue. Tissue removed to treat a lesion is called a resection. Usually resections are large pieces of tissue, sometimes a whole body part such as a stomach, large bowel or a breast. Sometimes a piece of tissue is removed both to make a diagnosis and to treat the lesion. A breast lumpectomy may both remove and diagnose a lesion causing a mass.

What is a pathologist?

Pathologists are trained to examine tissue that may be as small as a dozen cells. Usually tissue is removed by a surgeon, a radiologist or another physician and sent to pathology for examination. Tissue can be cells taken by fine needle aspiration, a small core needle biopsy, a larger piece of tissue that is meant to remove a lesion or a very large piece of tissue that is a whole organ such as a whole breast or a lung.

Why is a core needle biopsy called a core?

The tissue is called a core because it is the size and shape of the inside of the needle used to obtain the tissue.

How are biopsy specimens obtained?

Biopsies are obtained by special cutting pinchers and removed through the fiberoptic scope. Incisional biopsy: This is a tissue sample in which a part of a lesion is removed by a surgeon. The lesion is well defined and there is a high clinical suspicion that the lesion is cancer. The tissue is taken only to establish a diagnosis ...

Why do we remove large tissue samples?

Again some large tissue samples are removed both to establish a diagnosis and to treat and stage a cancer. These larger tissue samples require that the tissue be examined to detect the lesion, then to stage a lesion, and then to determine whether the lesion is completely removed.

What is the purpose of a pathologist's report?

The pathologist then writes a pathology report summarizing his or her findings.

Who writes pathology reports?

Although pathology reports are written by physicians for physicians, you may be able to decipher some of the medical jargon provided by the report. The structure and information provided in your pathology report may vary, but the following sections are usually included.

How long does it take to get a pathology report?

A result can often be given within 2 to 3 days after the biopsy. A result that requires a more complicated analysis can take 7 to 10 days. Ask your doctor how you will receive the biopsy results and who will explain them to you.

What is the procedure to remove tissue from a cancer patient?

Most cancer patients will undergo a biopsy or other procedure to remove a sample of tissue for examination by a pathologist in order to diagnose their disease. There are a variety of methods used to obtain samples, including a typical biopsy, fine needle aspiration, or a biopsy with the use of an endoscope.

What is tissue fixed?

Once a tissue sample is obtained, it is then “fixed”, meaning it is treated in a way that stops degradation and prevents the cells in the sample from changing characteristics. Next, the sample is stained so that the pathologist can see the cell structure under a microscope and determine whether the cells are exhibiting cancerous characteristics.

What is a pathologist?

A pathologist is a physician specializing in the diagnosis of disease based on examination of tissues and fluids removed from the body. Upon examination, the pathologist determines if the tissue sample contains normal, pre-cancerous or cancerous cells and then writes a report with his or her findings.

What is a specimen section?

Specimen: The specimen section describes the origin of the tissue sample (s).

How does a pathologist examine tissue?

Your pathologist will examine your tissue by eye and under a microscope. They will then provide you with a report describing what they see. Tissue sent for examination can range in size from a very small biopsy to an entire organ. In pathology, every piece of tissue, regardless of its size, is called a specimen.

What is a pathology report?

Your pathology report is a medical document prepared for you by your pathologist, a specialist medical doctor who works closely with the other doctors in your health care team. If you received a pathology report it means that a tissue sample from your body was sent to the laboratory for examination by a pathologist.

What is gross description in pathology?

All pathology reports include a gross description. In pathology ‘gross’ refers to the way a tissue sample looks without using a microscope. The gross description is very important in the examination process. In some cases, your pathologist can make a diagnosis by looking at the tissue or reading the gross description.

What does a pathologist do?

This means that they describe what they see in the tissue sample without giving the name for a specific disease. This often includes words that are unfamiliar to people who are not medical doctors. To learn more about these words, visit our pathology dictionary.

Why is a complete and accurate clinical history important?

A complete and accurate clinical history is very important because it helps your pathologist understand why the tissue sample was sent for examination.

What is the term for removing all of the abnormal tissue with some normal tissue?

Resection – A resection is a larger surgical procedure that usually removes all of the abnormal tissue with some normal tissue. The normal tissue is called a margin. An entire organ may be removed in a resection.

What is tissue specimen?

In pathology, tissue samples are called specimens. Each specimen is given a name by the doctor who sent the tissue sample to the laboratory. The specimen name should include the location and side (right or left) of the body where the tissue sample was taken.

How long does it take to get a tissue under a microscope?

I would say that in some hospitals you can get a fast answer on some questions within twenty-four hours. But most hospitals require three to four to five days, sometimes a full week, to get all the answers to the questions about the tissue under the microscope.

What does a HER2 test look for?

They also look for gene abnormalities, like the HER2 gene, and sometimes other genes that might become a problem. That test takes extra techniques, special techniques, and may even be sent out of the pathology department to a special laboratory to get the best information.

Where is the tissue taken after breast removal?

Answer: After your surgeon removes tissue out of your breast, or in the lymph node area , or whatever part of your body, that tissue is taken to the pathology department for analysis. First they have to process the tissue, then they have to make samples of each piece of tissue along the way and put it on glass slides and look at every single inch ...

What is the purpose of collecting sweat from a patient via iontophoresis?

Collection of sweat from a patient via iontophoresis to rule out cystic fibrosis.

Why was a segment of sigmoid colon with tumor sent to the pathologist for frozen section during surgery?

A segment of sigmoid colon with tumor was sent to the pathologist for frozen section during surgery so that immediate diagnosis could be made. The pathologist created the frozen section, examined the specimen, and rendered an intraoperative pathological diagnosis.

What blood test is used to rule out SLE?

Blood test for ANA antibodies to rule out SLE.

What is the CCP antibody test?

CCP antibody test to rule out rheumatoid arthritis.

Why is partial thromboplastin time used?

Partial thromboplastin time to measure the efficiency of plasma in forming thromboplastin. Patient has had blood clots, and this test is needed to monitor the effectiveness of anticoagulant heparin therapy. The method used was automated coagulation instrumentation.

What are the three elements in a laboratory panel?

Laboratory panel that includes carbon dioxide, chloride, potassium, and sodium.

What blood tests are done for syphilis?

A patient's blood is sent for the following tests: rubella antibody, Rh(D) and ABO blood typing, automated CBC and WBC, qualitative syphilis test, RBC antibody screen, and a hepatitis B surface antigen.