Breast Cancer Pathology Reports: What You Need to Know

We teach you why it is important to get copies of your breast pathology reports and how to understand the information they contain about your cancer.

VISIT THE BREAST CANCER SCHOOL FOR PATIENTS:

LIST OF QUESTIONS FOR YOUR DOCTORS:

FOLLOW US:
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Questions for your Breast Surgeon and Medical Oncologist:

1. Will you give me a copy of my “breast biopsy pathology report?”
2. What do my receptors mean?
3. Will you give me a copy of my “surgical pathology report?”
4. What stage is my breast cancer?
5. May I have a copy of my “Operative Report” and “History and Physical?”
6. Two Types of Pathology Reports:

Breast Biopsy Report:

The first report you will encounter is your breast biopsy report. This identifies whether or not you have a breast cancer. The initial report only tells you the type of breast cancer and is available 1 to 3 days after a needle biopsy is performed. Over the next week, the receptor results are reported and amended to the initial report. Make sure to get a final copy of your breast biopsy report from your surgeon that includes the receptor information. It is critical information for you to know and keep as a record of your cancer for the future.

The “type” of cancer sets the direction of your cancer treatment. Breast cancer is classified into invasive or non-invasive disease and also are given names based on their “cell type.” The Estrogen receptor (ER), Progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2 receptor results are also incredibly important for you to understand. Ask both your surgeon and medical oncologist if the receptors mean you will ultimately need chemotherapy. The receptor results from your biopsy report can often tell you early on in your journey that you may benefit from chemotherapy, even before surgery. Review our lesson “My Tumor Receptors” to better understand what this means to your care and prognosis.

Surgical Pathology Report:

The second pathology report is the surgical pathology report. It is available about 3 to 5 days after your surgery. This is a detailed examination of the tumor size, margins, and possibly lymph node involvement. Your final stage of cancer should be included in this report. If it is not, ask your doctor to tell you if you have a Stage O, I, II, III, or IV breast cancer. Ask your medical oncologist what your stage of cancer means for your 5 and 10-year survival. Always ask for a copy of this report when you see your breast surgeon about a week after your breast surgery.

Your Surgeon’s “Operative” and “History & Physical” notes:

Also ask for a copy of your surgeon’s “Operative note” and “History and Physical” note. These documents provide an excellent summary of your breast cancer care. Keep for your own health records and share this information with new physicians in the future. You will likely not remember all of the details of your care years later. As time passes, these records are difficult to obtain from retired physicians or cumbersome hospital medical record departments.

Patient-Friendly References:

Download this booklet (here) on "Your Guide to the Breast Pathology Report.” On page 45-46 of this booklet, there is a list of “Key Questions” and a “Checklist” of key items in your report. This non-profit organization provides excellent online and printable patient resources about breast cancer.

This outline (here) “What is a Pathology Report?” explains why it is important to have copies of your pathology report. The Susan G. Komen organization is a leading advocacy group dedicated to assisting patients, funding research, and ensuring quality breast cancer care.

Review their page “Interpreting Your Initial Pathology Report” (here) to better understand your breast biopsy report. This site was created for patients by the American Society of Breast Surgeons.

Their page (here) on “Your Pathology Report” has information about the specifics of tumor type, receptors, and other important information. Living Beyond Breast Cancer is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality information about breast cancer to patients.

More Detailed References:

If you want to get deep into the details, this free 200-page pdf document has guidelines to help clinicians to make treatment recommendations about nearly all aspects of breast cancer. You can easily register (here) as a non-professional to get access.

[seanthorntonmd]

As a (retired) pathologist specializing in breast disease, I wholeheartedly second Dr. William's discussion and recommendations.

[deniseinsocaldeniseinsocal]

Thank you for telling patients about this. I have kept a folder for all my reports. I’m finished with treatments. 16 rounds of chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy, and 28 rounds of radiation. I’m cancer free and getting ready for 5 years of hormone therapy. Thank you for all the information, it helped me through the last 11 months. It’s a long hard journey, but we somehow keep fighting!

[cynthiathompson]

As a retired mammography Technologist of 23 years. Thank you for your videos. Patients need as much info as possible. Keep up the great work.

[deschelbutler]

Great info. I have all the copies of every report.

[anamancilla]

Very well informed, loved the way you broke down how the pathology report is read and to pay attention to the HER2 and PR and ER. I enjoyed watching the videos on your website, thank so much for creating the website.

[tammiemurray]

Oh dear, I needed to learn this! Thank you!!!

[KTen-cmwx]

I’m calling my breast surgeon tomorrow .

[amsini]

thank you so much sir, really love to learn more information form you. simply well said

[thanatosrekt]

I am watching this as my wife of 28 years old has been diagnosed with invasive carcinoma. We are soon to see doctors and to find about what stage she is at. If i can only stay as calm as your video is. I however appreciate the informative content and i feel much more confident going into this meeting being able to ask various questions. Thank you

[shahwarhamdani]

V good informations I exactly did this but did not get operation notes and asking my Surgeon

[alicebarrett]

Away ask for all reports because sometimes it sent you doctor office and put in your file and if you don't check in with your doctor you may not find out the results. Knowledge is key.

[princessash]

I told the hospital I thought I had breast cancer the tech said I was crazy and the dr said I needed a biopsy immediately .. this was like 3 months ago I’m still in shock. I only had a bruise. My pathology report says Fibroadenoma but they suggest a lumpectomy or constant monitoring.

[deliaespinoza]

Thank for the information I had surgery 14 days ago and I going to see my doctor and ask for these reports. 👍🏻👍🏻

[jiniadey]

Well good information.. I asked something.. what is meaning of z3 in biopsy results in breast..

[annrae]

I got a copy of my surgery report but as I am not in the medical profession, I can't make sense of most of it .

[shahwarhamdani]

When the Histopathalogy says Estrogen and progesteron is strongly positive and HER 2 is negative, does immunotherapy work.

[mickeyraynoha]

Did anybody know?? What is
HIGH GRADE INVASIVE CARCINOMA WITH METAPLASTIC FEATURES
Is this Metaplastic BC?

[navedian]

Happiness starts when..
Spouses must stay apart 2 beds
Not 24/7 stuck to one another you see!!

Swear to GOD My mother used to tell me this, GOD BLESS her always ❤️she passed away she's in her 80's💕we need ME-Time so we don't get fed up or get used to each other n take everything for granted👌you need yr féminine energy healing process plus no make up or Night face Masks 🙌