Understanding Your Pathology Report

Reviewed by Pathologists on:
January 6, 2026

A pathology report is a medical document written by a pathologist. A pathologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing disease by examining tissues, cells, and body fluids. Your pathology report is created after a sample from your body, such as a biopsy, surgical specimen, or fluid sample, is examined in the laboratory.

This report plays a central role in your care. It helps your healthcare team confirm a diagnosis, understand what is happening in your body, and decide what treatments or follow-up tests may be needed. For many conditions, especially cancer and precancerous diseases, the pathology report is the most critical piece of information guiding care.

This article is designed to help you understand what a pathology report is, what information it usually contains, and how to read it with more confidence. It also explains what happens to your tissue sample after it reaches the laboratory and answers common questions patients have about their results.

Are there different types of pathology reports?

Yes. The type of pathology report depends on the kind of sample examined and why the test was ordered. Some patients will see only one kind of report, while others may encounter several during their care.

Surgical pathology reports describe tissue removed during a biopsy or surgery. These reports are the most common and include specimens from organs such as the colon, breast, lung, skin, thyroid, prostate, and many others. Because different organs have unique diseases, pathologists often focus on specific areas of expertise, such as gastrointestinal pathology, dermatopathology (skin), gynecologic pathology, or urologic pathology.

Cytology reports are created when individual cells or fluid samples are examined rather than whole pieces of tissue. Common examples include Pap tests, in which cells are collected from the cervix or anal canal, and fine-needle aspiration biopsies, in which a thin needle is used to sample cells from a lump, lymph node, or organ.

Hematopathology reports focus on diseases of the blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and immune system. These reports are commonly used to diagnose conditions such as leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, anemia, and some immune disorders. Hematopathology reports may involve blood smears, bone marrow biopsies, lymph node biopsies, and specialized tests such as flow cytometry and molecular studies.

Molecular pathology reports present results from tests that look for genetic changes, molecular markers, or specific proteins within cells. These tests are often used to confirm a diagnosis, estimate prognosis, or guide targeted therapy, especially in cancer care.

Neuropathology reports focus on diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscle. These reports are commonly used to diagnose brain tumors, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory conditions, and muscle disorders.

Placental pathology reports examine the placenta after delivery in specific clinical situations, such as preterm birth, infection, poor fetal growth, or pregnancy complications. These reports can provide important information about conditions affecting the pregnancy.

Autopsy reports are prepared after death. Medical autopsies are performed in hospitals to understand disease processes better and improve patient care. Forensic autopsies are conducted as part of legal investigations to determine the cause and manner of death.

What information is usually found in a pathology report?

Although reports can vary by hospital or laboratory, most pathology reports include several standard sections.

The patient and specimen information section lists identifying details, such as your name, date of birth, and medical record number, along with the location and date of collection.

The clinical history provides background information supplied by your doctor. This may include symptoms, imaging findings, or the reason the test was ordered. This context helps the pathologist interpret what they see under the microscope.

The diagnosis is the most important part of the report. It summarizes the key findings and states the final diagnosis using precise medical terms. If more than one sample was submitted, there may be a separate diagnosis for each one.

The microscopic description explains what the pathologist observed when examining the tissue or cells under the microscope. This section often contains technical language and detailed descriptions of cell appearance and tissue structure.

The gross description describes how the specimen looked before it was examined under the microscope, including its size, shape, and appearance. This section reflects what was seen with the naked eye and is primarily used for documentation and quality assurance.

The special tests and results section reports findings from additional studies, such as immunohistochemistry, molecular testing, or microbiology cultures, when performed.

In cancer cases, many reports include a synoptic report. This is a structured, checklist-style summary that highlights critical features, including tumor size, grade, depth of invasion, margins, lymph node involvement, and biomarker results. Synoptic reports are designed to ensure that all essential information is recorded clearly and consistently.

Finally, the comments section provides additional explanation, clarification, or context. It may explain unusual findings, suggest further testing, or highlight information important for treatment planning.

How to read your pathology report

A pathology report can feel overwhelming at first, mainly because it is written for medical professionals. Knowing where to start can make it much easier to understand.

Begin with the diagnosis section. This is the summary that matters most for your care. It tells you what condition was found and often whether it is benign (non-cancerous), precancerous, or malignant (cancerous).

Next, review any special test results. These tests can provide important information about prognosis or treatment options, especially in cancer care. Not every case requires special testing, so this section may be brief or absent.

The microscopic description explains how the diagnosis was made. While it can be interesting to read, it often uses complex terminology and is not necessary to understand your overall diagnosis. The diagnosis itself is what guides treatment.

Look for additional features such as grade, stage, margins, and lymph node status, if applicable. Tumor grade describes how abnormal the cells look and can give clues about how quickly a tumor may grow. Tumor stage reflects how far a cancer has spread and is determined by pathology findings, imaging, and clinical information. Margins indicate whether a tumor was removed entirely, and lymph node status shows whether cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.

If anything in your report is unclear or concerning, bring it to your doctor. Your healthcare team can explain how the findings fit together and what they mean for you personally.

What happens to a tissue sample in the pathology lab?

After a biopsy or surgery, your tissue sample is sent to the pathology laboratory for processing. Although the process takes time, each step is important for making an accurate diagnosis.

First, the tissue is preserved in a solution, usually formalin, to prevent decay. This step is called fixation. The tissue is then embedded in paraffin wax, which allows it to be cut into very thin slices. These slices are placed onto glass slides and stained with special dyes, most commonly hematoxylin and eosin, which help highlight different parts of the tissue.

Once the slides are prepared, the pathologist examines them under a microscope to look for normal and abnormal features. Additional stains or molecular tests may be ordered if more information is needed. A video tour of the pathology lab is included in this article to help you see how this process works in real life.

What is a pathologist, and what do they do?

A pathologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing disease by examining cells, tissues, and fluids under a microscope and with laboratory tests. Pathologists receive extensive training after medical school, and their job is to make precise diagnoses that help your healthcare team decide what your care should include. Even though many patients never meet their pathologist in person, this specialist plays a vital role in your diagnosis and treatment plan.

How long does it take to get a pathology report?

Many small biopsies are reported within one to three business days. Larger or more complex specimens, or cases that require special stains, molecular testing, or consultation with another pathologist, may take longer. Your doctor will usually receive the final report as soon as it is complete.

Why do pathology reports sometimes take longer than expected?

Most small biopsies are completed within a few business days, but there are good reasons a report might take longer. If your sample needs special stains, additional molecular tests, or extra expert review, these steps take additional time to ensure accuracy. In some cases, especially with complex diseases or rare conditions, your doctor may receive results a week or more after your procedure. Your healthcare team can often give you an estimated timeline for your report.

How do I get a copy of my pathology report?

You can request a copy from your doctor, your hospital’s medical records department, or through your hospital’s secure patient portal. Because pathology reports use medical terminology, reviewing the report with your doctor is strongly recommended.

Can a pathology report change after it is issued?

Yes. A report may be updated if additional testing is completed or if a second opinion is obtained. In these situations, an amended or addendum report is issued. Your doctor should explain what changed and why.

Why is the pathology report so important?

The pathology report is often the foundation of your diagnosis. In cancer care, it provides information that determines tumor type, grade, and stage, which directly affects treatment decisions. Understanding your pathology report can help you feel more informed and engaged in your care.

Can I get a second opinion on my pathology report?

Yes — you absolutely can request a second opinion on your pathology diagnosis if you want additional reassurance or if your doctor recommends it. Because pathology reports are written for medical professionals, sometimes another expert review can be helpful, especially in complex or rare cases. Usually, your doctor will arrange this by sending your slides and report to another pathologist. Your healthcare team can guide you through the process of getting a second opinion if you’d like one.

What happens to my tissue or fluid sample after testing is done?

Once all necessary tests are completed, most tissue and fluid samples are kept in the laboratory for quality control and reference. They are then typically discarded in accordance with standard medical guidelines. Some labs may store samples longer or offer options to request that your slides or block be sent to another facility for a second opinion or research, with your permission. Ask your doctor or the pathology department if you want to know your lab’s specific policy.

How do I talk to someone about my pathology results if I don’t understand them?

If your pathology report feels confusing, you are not alone. These reports are written for medical professionals and often contain technical language that can be hard to understand at first.

A helpful place to start is MyPathologyReport.com. The Diagnosis Library explains common diagnoses in plain language, and the Pathology Dictionary defines individual medical terms you may see in your report. You can also use Osler, our pathology-focused chatbot, to ask questions and get clear, patient-friendly explanations based on trusted pathology information.

After reviewing these resources, it’s important to talk with your doctor. Your doctor can explain how the findings in your pathology report apply to you, answer questions about next steps, and place the results in the context of your overall health and treatment plan.

What should I do if my pathology report seems incomplete or confusing?

It’s common for pathology reports to seem incomplete or unclear when read on their own. Pathology reports are designed to describe what was found in the sample, not to explain every detail of your condition or outline your complete treatment plan.

Before your appointment, you may find it helpful to look up unfamiliar terms using the Pathology Dictionary on MyPathologyReport.com or read a patient-friendly explanation of your diagnosis in the Diagnosis Library. You can also ask Osler, our pathology-focused chatbot, to help explain specific sections or terms from your report in clear language.

Once you’ve reviewed these resources, discuss your questions with your doctor. Your doctor can explain how the pathology findings fit together, whether additional testing is needed, and what the results mean for your care. If needed, your doctor can also arrange a second opinion or clarify why certain information may not appear in the report.

Can a pathology report tell me exactly what treatment I should get?

Not usually. A pathology report gives essential information about your diagnosis — like what type of disease it is, how aggressive it might be, and whether important features like margins or lymph nodes are involved. Your pathologist doesn’t decide your treatment; that is done by your treating team (surgeons, oncologists, specialists) using the pathology report together with other tests such as imaging, blood work, and clinical findings. Please think of the pathology report as a cornerstone of your treatment plan rather than the whole plan itself.

Questions to ask your doctor

• What is the primary diagnosis in my pathology report?
• Were any special tests performed, and what do they mean?
• Does my report include a synoptic summary?
• How do these results affect my treatment or follow-up plan?
• Should a second opinion be considered?