Understanding Cancer Pathology Reports
Once your doctor suspects you have Breast Cancer, you may have to undergo a number of diagnostic tests. Depending on which type of tests
you get, you will hear your doctor talk about certain types of results.
Tests such as mammograms and other techniques like MRI are useful to see
that you don't have obvious cancer growth. But a
biopsy is the only way
to be sure a lump or abnormal tissue has cancer cells in it. This means
a small sample of your breast tissue is removed. Usually, a surgeon or
radiologist does the biopsy. Then, a special scientist called a
pathologist examines the cells under a microscope. The
pathologist
sends the cancer pathology report to your doctor to review and decide what to do next.
What a Cancer Pathology Results Tell You
Your pathology report and results reveal a number of important things. First of all, they tell your doctor whether the cells in your
lump are normal or cancer cells. They also may be able to tell if cancer cells have spread. When cancer cells spread beyond
the original location, they are called "invasive cells." If they have not, they are called "noninvasive cells."
The pathologist compares your cancer cells to normal breast cells. He or she then grades the tumor based on what is found:
Grade 1:
The cancer cells look almost like normal cells and are
usually slow growing. This is referred to as Low Grade or Well Differentiated.
Grade 2:
The cancer cells do not look like normal cells. Plus, they appear to stick together and be faster
growing. This is called Intermediate/Moderate Grade or Moderately Differentiated.
Grade 3:
The cancer cells have irregular shapes and stick together. They are also fast growing. They call this High Grade or Poorly Differentiated
Your doctor will then measure a tumor in centimeters. Tumor size is one of the factors used to decide which stage of cancer you have. In
most cases, a surgeon will remove the tumor and an extra area of tissue around it. The tissue around the edge of the tumor is called the
margin of resection. The pathologist will measure how close to the outer edges of the tissue the cancer cells are found.
Understanding Margins
The margin refers to how close the cancer cells are to the edge of the normal tissue
surrounding the tumor. Margins are described in the following 3 ways:
Margin: Positive
Description: Cancer cells come to the edge of the tissue.
Action: Further surgery is needed
 |
Margin: Negative or Clean
Description: No cancer cells are seen at the outer edge. The standard negative measurement in most hospitals is 2 millimeters of normal tissue beyond the edge of the tumor.
Action: Usually no more surgery is needed |
Margin: Close Margins
Description: Between positive and negative margins
Action: Usually no more surgery is needed
Understanding Lymph Nodes
There's another important factor related to the risk of Breast Cancer
spreading. That is whether or not you have cancer cells in the
lymph nodes under your arm. Your lymph nodes are filters that can catch and
trap cancer cells before they reach other parts of the body. A Negative
or clear test result means your lymph nodes are clear of cancer. A
Positive result means they have some cancer cells in them. This means
there is a greater chance that the cancer will return. Surgery, radiation
and chemotherapy is used to lower this risk.
This information is meant as a helpful overview. As always, your doctor is the best source of information about what your
breast cancer pathology results mean and what your breast cancer treatment, if any, is needed.
Important Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Here are some questions to ask your doctor about your pathology results
- Has the Breast Cancer spread beyond the tumor?
- Is this a slow-growing or a fast-growing Breast Cancer?
- Are there any lymph nodes positive? How many?
- Is further surgery needed based on the test results?
- What is the stage of my Breast Cancer?
- What treatment options do I have—oral, IV, or a combination?
Download this list of questions with spaces to write in the answers you get.
For more information about understanding your pathology results, download the free
"Understanding
Your Breast Cancer Pathology Results" brochure.