Type of Breast CancerĪlmost all breast cancers start in glandular tissue, called adenocarcinomas (cancer of the glandular tissue). It is important to wait for all the results to best understand your cancer. Sometimes the tests are done in different labs or take different times to complete, which means you may not get all the results at once. In this section, we will discuss each part of the microscopic diagnosis section in detail. Some use different terms to describe the same thing. Not every report goes through the microscopic diagnosis in the same order. This section may be called “microscopic diagnosis,” “description,” or just “diagnosis.” This part of the report is most useful for you. We will discuss these in the next sections. The gross description isn't helpful in telling us about the stage of the cancer or which treatment might be best. The gross description tells us the size of the tissue being looked at, but not the size of the actual cancer. The pathologist often then describes how the tissue was divided up for further analysis. A lymph node may also be called 'blue,” due to the presence of dye that can also be used to find the node. After a sentinel node biopsy, the gross description may say a lymph node is 'hot,” which refers to the radioactive tracer that is used by the surgeon to find the sentinel node.There may be mention of surgical clips or wires that were used by the surgeon to be sure that the suspicious area was removed. This description might discuss'inked' margins or sutures, which the surgeon adds so the pathologist can tell 'which end is up' once the tissue is removed from the body. After a breast cancer surgery, large pieces of tissue and lymph nodes may be described in the report.The pathologist may describe the color, shape, feeling, and size of the tissue.

In a biopsy, the specimen is often a small piece of tissue.The gross description describes what the pathologist received and sees with the naked eye. To help you better understand your report, let's break down each section below. Information about surgical resection margins (the edges of the surgical specimen).īreast cancer pathology reports are complex and can seem overwhelming at first.Whether the cancer cells have entered the lymph system or blood vessels.The type of cell the cancer comes from.In the case of breast cancer, the pathologist will describe: A pathologic diagnosis (a diagnosis based on what the pathologist saw under the microscope).What was seen under the microscope ( microscopic description).What the specimen looks like to the naked eye (called gross description).The procedure that was done to get the body tissue.Some information about you, like your health history and clinical diagnosis (suspected or known).The report is broken down into a few sections, such as: What will you find on a pathology report? The pathologist writes up a summary report of their findings, which is called the pathology report. Samples of your breast tissue and lymph nodes will be sent to the pathology lab for review under a microscope. Pathologists look at tissue from the body that is removed during surgery or a biopsy. O-Pro: Portal for Oncology ProfessionalsĪ pathologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing diseases.Distress Screening Response Tools (DSRT).OncoPilot: Navigating the Cancer Journeyįind resources & tools for oncology healthcare professionals.Managing Practical and Emotional Concerns.Insurance, Legal, Employment & Financial Concerns.Support for Adolescent and Young Adults with Cancer.Sexual History & Human Papillomavirus (HPV).Medications, Health History and Cancer Risk.Environmental and Occupational Exposures (UV Exposure, Radon, Radiation).Learn about cancer, diagnosis, treatment, coping & survivorship Discover information about different types of cancer

Pathology report