General information, not an individual diagnosis. Ask a healthcare professional if you are unsure about your situation.
After a sample is taken, its analysis can help the doctor identify a disease or lesion. Agree with your team how and when you will receive the report; do not draw conclusions before it is explained.
The sample may come from a needle biopsy, an endoscopic examination or an operation. The tissue type and the question asked of the laboratory depend on your situation and the procedure performed.
The pathology service studies changes in tissues or cells. Technicians prepare blocks and slides among other steps; a pathologist analyses the material to contribute to the diagnosis.
These analyses concern both cancerous and non-cancerous diseases. The fact that tissue has been sent to a laboratory does not by itself predict the result for an individual.
For example, during a colonoscopy a lesion can be sampled or removed for analysis. In a colorectal assessment, pathology examination can confirm cancer or find that the sampled lesion is not cancer, and identify the type of lesion.
The result is discussed with the professional coordinating your care. Ask what was found, what other information is considered and what comes next. After the procedure, also follow the instructions and contact guidance given by your team.
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