what does current biopsy and recent report correlate to guide patient management

by Payton Welch 6 min read

Biopsy Report | Johns Hopkins Medicine

33 hours ago 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. Microscopic exam. >> Go To The Portal


What is included in a 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.

Was the biopsy what the patient was expecting?

All forty six patients (94%) answered “yes” to the question “was the biopsy what they were expecting?” whereas 3 patients answered “no”. No patients felt that they required more information and none volunteered any additional comments.

When do you get a pathology report after a biopsy?

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. Patients may want to ask their doctors to give them a copy of the pathology report and to explain the report to them.

How can image guided biopsy improve the patient experience?

Newer techniques in image guided biopsy offer the potential to further improve the patient experience. Cone beam CT is a relatively new technique whereby a three dimensional CT image is generated with a rotating fluoroscopic C-arm. This has the advantage of allowing an open environment, rather than an enclosed bore CT scanner.

What information will a biopsy result provide?

The biopsy results help your health care provider determine whether the cells are cancerous. If the cells are cancerous, the results can tell your care provider where the cancer originated — the type of cancer. A biopsy also helps your care provider determine how aggressive your cancer is — the cancer's grade.

What is a biopsy and why would this be completed for this patient?

A biopsy is a sample of tissue taken from the body in order to examine it more closely. A doctor should recommend a biopsy when an initial test suggests an area of tissue in the body isn't normal. Doctors may call an area of abnormal tissue a lesion, a tumor, or a mass.

What happens if biopsy report is positive?

A “positive” or “involved” margin means there are cancer cells in the margin. This means that it is likely that cancerous cells are still in the body. Lymph nodes. The pathologist will also note whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs.

Why is biopsy important?

Biopsies are frequently used to diagnose cancer, but they can help identify other conditions such as infections and inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. They may also be done to match organ tissue before a transplant and to look for signs of organ rejection following a transplant.

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 does biopsy test mean?

Listen to pronunciation. (BY-op-see) The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist. The pathologist may study the tissue under a microscope or perform other tests on the cells or tissue.

How are biopsy results given?

Once a tissue sample is obtained, the pathologist will examine the tissue sample under the microscope in order to determine if it contains normal, pre-cancerous or cancerous cells. The pathologist then writes a pathology report summarizing his or her findings.

What if biopsy is negative?

If your biopsy was done for a reason other than cancer, the lab report should be able to guide your doctor in diagnosing and treating that condition. If the results are negative but the doctor's suspicion is still high either for cancer or other conditions, you may need another biopsy or a different type of biopsy.

What do you do after a biopsy?

Leave your wound dressings in place for the rest of the day of the biopsy and keep them dry. Change band-aids daily starting the day after the biopsy. Showers are fine starting the day after the biopsy. Leave the band-aids in place while you shower and change them after you dry off.

What do you say to someone waiting for biopsy results?

Instead, a more helpful thing to say would be something like "I'll be here for you, no matter what the test results reveal." In many cases, people want to talk about anything but the upcoming test results, so don't be afraid to steer the conversation toward a favorite or lighter topic.

What happens biopsy sample?

The tissue is put into small containers called cassettes. The cassettes hold the tissue securely while it's processed. After processing, which may take a few hours (but is usually done overnight), the tissue sample is put into a mold with hot paraffin wax. The wax cools to form a solid block that protects the tissue.

How accurate are biopsies?

Although tests aren't 100% accurate all the time, receiving a wrong answer from a cancer biopsy – called a false positive or a false negative – can be especially distressing. While data are limited, an incorrect biopsy result generally is thought to occur in 1 to 2% of surgical pathology cases.

What is a malignant neoplasm?

A malignant NEOPLASM whose cells appear to be derived from EPITHELIUM. This word can be used by itself or as a suffix. Cancers composed of columnar epithelial cells are often called adenocarcinomas. Those of squamous cells are called squamous cell carcinomas. The type of cancer typically recapitulates the type of epithelium that normally lines the affected organ. For instance, almost all cancers of the colon are adenocarcinomas, and columnar epithelium is the normal lining of the colon. There are exceptions, however.

What is a colposcope?

The colposcope is actually a close- focusing telescope that allows the physician to see in detail abnormal areas on the cervix of the uterus, so that a good representation of the abnormal area can be removed and sent to the pathologist. 5. Fine needle aspiration. FNA biopsy.

What type of biopsy is used to remove a lump from the soft tissue?

2. Incisional biopsy. Only a portion of the lump is removed surgically. This type of biopsy is most commonly used for tumors of the soft tissues (muscle, fat, connective tissue) to distinguish benign conditions from malignant soft tissue tumors, called sarcomas. 3.

What is the procedure called when you take a sample of tissue from a patient?

This procedure is called a biopsy , a Greek-derived word that may be loosely translated as “view of the living.”.

What is the best way to remove a lump from breast?

Some organs, such as the spleen, are dangerous to cut into without removing the whole organ, so excisional biopsies are preferred for these. 2. Incisional biopsy. Only a portion of the lump is removed surgically.

Why do lymph nodes grow in the neck?

An example of the former process is the enlargement of lymph nodes in the neck as a result of reaction to a bacterial throat infection.

How many cells are drawn up in a syringe?

A needle no wider than that typically used to give routine injections (about 22 gauge) is inserted into a lump (tumor), and a few tens to thousands of cells are drawn up (aspirated) into a syringe. These are smeared on a slide, stained, and examined under a microscope by the pathologist.

What is the microscopic description of a tissue?

Microscopic Description: In the microscopic description, the pathologist describes how the cells of the tissue sample appear under a microscope. Specific attributes that the pathologist may look for and describe may include cell structure, tumor margins, vascular invasion, depth of invasion and pathologic stage.

What is the purpose of a pathologist's report?

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

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 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 histologic grade?

The histologic grade helps the pathologist identify the type of tumor. The grade may be described numerically with the Scarff-Bloom-Richardson system (1-3) or as well-differentiated, moderately-differentiated or poorly differentiated. Grade 1 or well-differentiated: Cells appear normal and are not growing rapidly.

What should a primary doctor address in a pathology report?

Your primary doctor should be able to address specific questions you have about your pathology report; however, it is helpful to have a basic understanding of what the pathologist is looking for. The structure and information provided in your pathology report may vary, but the following sections are usually included.

Why do doctors use liquid biopsies?

The method used to gain a tissue sample depends on the type of mass and location in the body. Doctors are increasingly using "liquid" biopsies to evaluate cancer which are easily collected from the blood and are non-invasive. Liquid biopsies are replacing the need to collect tissue in many situations.

What is the difference between a stereotactic and a colposcopic biopsy?

Stereotactic biopsy: Samples are taken from the brain, using stereotactic surgery to find the biopsy site. A stereotactic system uses three-dimensional coordinates to locate small targets inside the body. Colposcopic biopsy: This is used to evaluate a patient who has had an abnormal pap, or cervical, smear.

What is a biopsy under a microscope?

Examining tissue under a microscope can provide information about various conditions. Depending on the aim, a biopsy may be excisional or incisional: An excisional biopsy is when a whole lump or targeted area is surgically removed. An incisional biopsy, or core biopsy, involves taking a sample of tissue. There are different types of biopsy.

What are the conditions that require a biopsy?

Conditions where a biopsy can play a role include: 1 Cancer: If the patient has a lump or swelling somewhere in the body with no apparent cause, the only way to determine whether it is cancerous or not is through a biopsy. 2 Peptic ulcer: A biopsy can help a doctor determine whether there is ulceration caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A small bowel biopsy may be used to assess patients with malabsorption, anemia, or celiac disease. 3 Diagnosis of liver disease This can help the doctor diagnose tumors, or cancer, in the liver. It can be used to diagnosis cirrhosis, or liver fibrosis, when the liver is completely scarred from a previous injury or disease, such as long-term alcohol abuse or hepatitis. It can also be used to assess how well the patient is responding to treatment, for, for example, in the case of hepatitis. 4 Infection: A needle biopsy can help identify whether there is an infection, and what type of organism is causing it. 5 Inflammation: By examining the cells in, for example, a needle biopsy, the doctor may be able to determine what is causing the inflammation.

What is the difference between colposcope and endoscope?

Colposcopic biopsy: This is used to evaluate a patient who has had an abnormal pap, or cervical, smear. The colposcope is a close-focusing telescope that allows the doctor to see areas of the cervix in detail. Endoscopic biopsy: An endoscope is used to collect the sample.

What is a wide needle biopsy?

A wide needle is used for a core biopsy, while a thin one is used for a fine-need le aspiration biopsy (FNAB). It is often used for breast and thyroid sampling. A capsule biopsy: This is used to take a sample from the intestines. Stereotactic biopsy: Samples are taken from the brain, using stereotactic surgery to find the biopsy site.

Why do they do a biopsy on a transplanted organ?

Sometimes, biopsies are done on transplanted organs to determine whether the body is rejecting the organ, or whether a disease that made a transplant necessary in the first place has come back . If there is a lump or tumor, this may be removed at the same time, as part of the biopsy procedure.

Why do we need a biopsy?

We cannot visualize the organs or tissues inside of our body, but a biopsy helps in making a diagnosis by providing a piece of tissue for examination. Biopsies are often associated with cancer, but they can be used to diagnose other conditions and to see how far a disease has progressed. They often help rule out cancer.

What is a biopsy specimen?

The tissue sample removed during a biopsy is called a specimen. The medical staff who perform your biopsy place the specimen in a container with a fluid to preserve it. They label the container with your name and other details. A pathologist then describes how it looks to the naked eye. This includes the color, size, and other features. This is called a gross or macroscopic examination. The gross description includes the following information: 1 The label written by the doctor who took the specimen 2 Visual features 3 Size 4 What was done to the specimen

What is the tissue sample called when you take a biopsy?

Looking at the tissue sample. The tissue sample removed during a biopsy is called a specimen. The medical staff who perform your biopsy place the specimen in a container with a fluid to preserve it. They label the container with your name and other details. A pathologist then describes how it looks to the naked eye.

How to examine tissue with a microscope?

They are then stained with various dyes, which show the parts of the cells. The pathologist or technician places the sections on a glass slide. Next, they place a thin cover called a cover slip on top to hold the specimen in place. The pat hologist will then look at the sections under a microscope.

How long does a specimen stay in a fixative?

To create a permanent section, the technician places the specimen in a fixative for several hours. A fixative is a substance that keeps the specimen “fixed” so that it does not change. The length of time the specimen stays in the fixative depends on its size. Formalin is the fixative used most often.

What is a pathologist's report?

Then, the pathologist creates a pathology report based on what is seen under the microscope. The report is very technical, using terms that are meaningful to other pathologists and doctors. Generally, the pathologist describes:

What is the center of a cell called?

Then, a technician uses dyes to stain parts of the cell. The center of a cell, called the nucleus, is where genes are found.

What is the role of a pathologist after a biopsy?

After a biopsy, your health care team completes several steps before the pathologist makes a diagnosis. A pathologist is a doctor who specializes in reading laboratory tests and looking at cells, tissues, and organs to diagnose disease.

What is clinical correlation?

During a clinical correlation, the healthcare provider compares and contrasts the patient's clinical findings. Such findings may include signs or symptoms of a certain disease or condition, such as swollen lymph nodes.

When is clinical correlation recommended?

Clinical correlation is recommended when results from a diagnostic test, including biopsies, x-rays or MRIs, are abnormal . In this instance, the physician uses a combination of results from the diagnostic test and an individual's age, previous medical history, clinical test and other relevant results to make a definitive diagnosis.

How to tell if a biopsy is cancerous?

This is known as histologic (tissue) examination and is usually the best way to tell if cancer is present. The pathologist may also examine cytologic (cell) material.

What is the procedure to cut tissue into thin sections?

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 under a microscope. Two methods are used to make the tissue firm enough to cut into thin sections: frozen sections and paraffin-embedded (permanent) sections.

What is an IHC report?

For example, the pathology report may include information obtained from immunochemical stains (IHC). IHC uses antibodies to identify specific antigens on the surface of cancer cells. IHC can often be used to: Determine where the cancer started.

How are tissue samples prepared?

All tissue samples are prepared as permanent sections, but sometimes frozen sections are also prepared. Permanent sections are prepared by placing the tissue in fixative (usually formalin) to preserve the tissue, processing it through additional solutions, and then placing it in paraffin wax.

How long does it take for a pathologist to send a report?

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. Patients may want to ask their doctors to give them a copy of the pathology report and to explain the report to them. Patients also may wish to keep a copy ...

What is the procedure to remove tissue under a microscope?

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 can be done are as follows: A needle is used to withdraw tissue or fluid.

What is the purpose of endoscope?

An endoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is used to look at areas inside the body and remove cells or tissues. Surgery is used to remove part of the tumor or the entire tumor. If the entire tumor is removed, typically some normal tissue around the tumor is also removed. Tissue removed during a biopsy is sent to a pathology laboratory, ...