Understanding Your Pathology Report

When you have a biopsy, the samples taken are studied under the microscope by a specialized doctor called a pathologist. The pathologist sends your doctor a report that gives a diagnosis for each sample taken. Information in this report will be used to help manage your care. The information here is meant to help you understand medical language you might find in a pathology report.

What Information Is Included in a Pathology Report?

Your pathology report includes detailed information that will be used to help manage your care. Learn more here.

How to Learn More or Get a Second Opinion About Your Pathology Results

If you or your doctors have concerns about your pathology diagnosis, you can have your microscope slides reviewed by a consulting pathologist for a second opinion.

Breast Pathology

Learn about the possible terms you might see on a breast pathology report, including breast carcinoma (cancer),  lobular carcinoma (LCIS), ductal carcinoma (DCIS),  atypical hyperplasia, and various benign breast conditions.

Colon Pathology

Your colon pathology report may use specific terms to describe a type of cancer, or it may mention different types of colon polyps, such as sessile or serrated polyps. Learn what these terms mean here.

Esophagus Pathology

If you've had an esophagus biopsy, your pathology report may mention terms such as carcinoma (cancer),  Barrett's esophagus,  or other esophagus changes. Learn how to interprete your pathology report here.

Lung Pathology

A lung pathology report may include information about findings that are not cancer, such as granulomas, scarring, or inflammation. If cancer is found, it may also describe a type of cancer using specific terms. Learn how to interpret your lung pathology report here.

Prostate Pathology

Learn about the possible terms you may see on a prostate pathology report, including prostate cancer, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), various atypical findings, or benign prostate conditions.