Pathology Reports Explained
Biopsy, histopathology, cytology, or FNAC — understand grade, margins, staging, and every term in one of medicine's most stressful reports.
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What is a pathology?
A pathology report is written by a pathologist after examining a tissue or cell sample under a microscope. It's the definitive test for many conditions, from benign cysts to inflammation to cancer diagnosis and staging.
Pathology reports carry the highest stakes and the densest vocabulary — grade, margin, invasion, mitotic rate, immunohistochemistry, TNM stage. A clear explanation reduces fear, prevents misreading, and helps you go into the next appointment knowing exactly what questions to ask.
What we explain in your report
The final diagnosis in plain English
Grade and differentiation — what 'well', 'moderately' or 'poorly differentiated' means
Margins: clear, close, or involved — and what that implies for treatment
TNM staging translated into everyday language
Immunohistochemistry markers (ER, PR, HER2, Ki-67, etc.) and what they guide
Which findings are benign, pre-cancerous, or malignant — and typical next steps
Common terms you'll see
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Benign | Not cancer. May still need monitoring depending on the type. |
| Malignant | Cancerous — able to invade nearby tissue and potentially spread. |
| In situ | Abnormal cells that haven't invaded surrounding tissue yet — the earliest, most treatable stage. |
| Grade | How abnormal the cells look. Low grade = closer to normal; high grade = more aggressive. |
| Margin | The edge of the removed tissue. 'Clear margins' means no cancer at the edge. |
| TNM stage | T = tumor size, N = lymph node involvement, M = spread to distant organs. |
| Ki-67 | A marker of how fast tumor cells are dividing. |
Frequently asked questions
My biopsy says 'malignant' — what happens next?▾
The next step is usually a consultation with an oncologist or surgeon who plans treatment based on tumor type, grade, and stage. We explain each of these in your report so you can arrive prepared.
What do 'clear margins' mean?▾
It means the removed tissue has no cancer cells at its edges — suggesting the visible tumor has been fully excised. Additional treatment may still be recommended based on other factors.
Can you explain immunohistochemistry markers?▾
Yes. ER, PR, HER2, PD-L1, Ki-67, CK7/20 and similar markers are translated into what they typically mean for prognosis and treatment options.
Is this a second opinion?▾
No. We translate — we don't diagnose. For a formal second opinion, we can guide you on which subspecialty pathologist or oncologist to consult.
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Every explanation is grounded in international medical guidelines (WHO, NCCN, ACC/AHA, RSNA, AAD, AAO) and reviewed by our clinical advisory panel. Your report is encrypted end-to-end, auto-deleted after 48 hours, and never used to train third-party models. HIPAA / GDPR / PDPL aligned; BAA available.
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