Written by:
Arthi T
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be an overwhelming and confusing experience, but understanding your pathology report is a crucial step in managing your health and treatment. In India, cancer reports provide detailed information about your condition, guiding your medical team in creating an effective treatment plan. This article aims to empower you with the knowledge needed to comprehend the various sections of your cancer report, helping you to make informed decisions about your care.
Identifying information
This section includes your name, date of birth, and medical record number. It also provides contact details for your doctor, the pathologist, and the laboratory where the sample was analyzed. Additionally, it contains specifics about your tissue sample, indicating the part of the body it was taken from and whether it was obtained via surgery or a biopsy.
Specimen
This section outlines the source of the tissue sample(s).
Clinical history
This section gives a concise overview of the patient’s medical background relevant to the tissue sample being examined by the pathologist.
Clinical diagnosis (Pre-operative diagnosis)
This section details the doctors’ expectations prior to the pathologic diagnosis.
Procedure
This section describes the method used to remove the tissue sample.
Gross description (Macroscopic)
This section contains the pathologist’s observations of the tissue sample with the naked eye, including details such as size, weight, color, or other distinguishing characteristics. If multiple samples are present, a letter or number system may be used to differentiate each sample.
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Invasive vs. non-invasive cancers
Non-invasive (In situ) cancer
These cancers remain localized to one specific area and do not spread to surrounding tissues. “In situ” means that the cancer cells are confined to the place where they originated and have not invaded nearby structures.
Invasive cancer
This type of cancer has spread from its original location to surrounding tissues and structures. Invasive cancers can potentially metastasize, which means they can spread to distant parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
Metastatic cancer
This occurs when cancer cells from the primary (original) site spread to other parts of the body, forming new tumors in different organs or tissues. Metastasis is a more advanced stage of cancer and often indicates a more serious prognosis.
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Metastatic cancer
This occurs when cancer cells from the primary (original) site spread to other parts of the body, forming new tumors in different organs or tissues. Metastasis is a more advanced stage of cancer and often indicates a more serious prognosis.
Microscopic description
The pathologist slices the tissue into thin sections, places them on slides, stains them with dye, and examines them under a microscope. The pathologist records the appearance of the cancer cells, compares them to normal cells, and determines whether they have spread to nearby tissue. This section of your report includes several details that inform your diagnosis and treatment, such as:
Grade
The pathologist compares the cancer cells to healthy cells using various scales specific to different cancers. The tumor grade indicates how likely the cancer is to grow and spread. Generally, the grades are:
Grade 1
Low grade or well-differentiated: The cells appear slightly different from normal cells and are not growing rapidly.
Grade 2
Moderate grade or moderately differentiated: The cells do not resemble normal cells and are growing faster than usual.
Grade 3
High grade or poorly differentiated: The cells look significantly different from normal cells and are growing or spreading rapidly.
Grade 4
The cells do not resemble normal cells at all and are growing or spreading very quickly. Grade 4 tumors are often considered the most aggressive and have the poorest prognosis.
Miotic rate
This notes how quickly cancer cells are dividing.
Tumour marker
This substance is found in blood, bone marrow, tissue or other body fluids. Tumor markers may be a sign of cancer or noncancerous conditions.
Tumor Margins
The pathologist slices the tissue into thin sections, places them on slides, stains them with dye, and examines them under a microscope. The pathologist records the appearance of the cancer cells, compares them to normal cells, and determines whether they have spread to nearby tissue. This section of your report includes several details that inform your diagnosis and treatment, such as:
Positive margin
Cancer cells are found at the edge of the removed tissue, indicating that some cancer may still be present in the body. Additional surgery might be necessary to ensure all cancerous tissue is removed.
Negative margin
No cancer cells are found at the edges of the removed tissue, suggesting that the tumor has been completely excised.
Close margin
Cancer cells are found near, but not at, the edge of the removed tissue. This might mean that further surgery is required to achieve clear margins.
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Additional comments
Notes explaining why something is inconclusive or recommending other diagnostic tests
Information on samples sent for additional tests or a second opinion
Summary of the most pertinent information
Name of the pathologist, as well as the name and address of the laboratory where the report was completed
How Milaap can help
Knowledge is power, and being informed about your condition enables you to make better decisions and actively participate in your healthcare journey. In addition to understanding your medical information, having a support system is essential. This is where platforms like Milaap can make a significant difference.
Milaap is India’s largest free crowdfunding platform that helps patients in India raise funds for medical treatments, including cancer care. By leveraging the power of community support through Milaap, you can focus on your recovery without the added stress of medical expenses.
Remember, you are not alone in this journey. With the right information and the support of organizations like Milaap, you can face your diagnosis with confidence and hope. Start your fundraiser, today!
Success stories on Milaap
In times of need, support means everything, and with Milaap, you need not look any further. Milaap enables you to set up a fundraiser for any medical emergency within minutes, and you can easily raise funds for treatment expenses.
Do you know someone who could benefit from fundraising? Simply refer them to us and we’ll be happy to lend a hand.
Visit www.milaap.org or call us on +91 9916174848 to get started now.
For more information, write to us at cx@milaap.org.
