“So, my tumor was very unique, just like me. Everyone’s tumor is distinctly different, so a pathology report is a way to get to know the personality of your tumor on every level so your medical team can determine the best treatment plan for you.“

When you are diagnosed with a lump in your breast, your pathologist takes tissue samples of your tumor, also called a biopsy. This is so they can determine exactly which type of breast cancer you have. The answers to this test are then provided on a pathology report, so the pathologist and the rest of your treatment team will understand your unique case and how best to treat it.

The first three sections on the report provide basic information regarding the Patient, the Physician’s Details of the physician performing the biopsy, and the Specimen Case Number (including the date of the biopsy and the date when the tissue was processed by the lab).

The most important sections are those that follow, starting with Body Site and Procedure. This section details the exact location from where the tissue sample is taken and the procedure that was performed, usually a core needle biopsy, but it could be a more advanced procedure, such as a lumpectomy or mastectomy.

The report also features a section called Gross Description. This section is where the pathologist describes the physical characteristics of the tissue that was removed before they look at it under a microscope. Recorded details can include the size dimensions of the tissue; the colors of ink used to orient the margins of the specimen; the size and location of any visible masses; the distance of the mass to the margins; and the number of sections submitted from the tissue. The amount of information in this section is determined by the type of procedure that was performed. Typically, a lumpectomy or mastectomy will provide substantially more information than a core needle biopsy.