Info
Histopathology
The examination under the microscope of a fragment of tissue. The pathologist describes the type of cells, how aggressive the tumor is and other details that are essential for the diagnosis and treatment.
What it means
The examination under the microscope of tissue taken by biopsy or surgery. The histopathology report describes the type of cells, the tumor grade and other details that help establish the diagnosis and treatment.
In short
The examination under the microscope of a fragment of tissue. The pathologist describes the type of cells, how aggressive the tumor is and other details that are essential for the diagnosis and treatment.
Where you will see it
The histopathology report is the main document that confirms a cancer diagnosis. It is issued after a biopsy or after surgery.
What it does not tell you on its own
The histopathology report describes what was found in the analyzed sample, but on its own it does not predict how the disease will progress or decide the treatment. It is interpreted together with imaging and other tests.
Questions for your doctor
- Does the report confirm that cancer is present?
- What is the exact type of cancer found?
- What does the tumor grade indicate?
- Are the resection margins clear?
- What other tests do you recommend based on this report?
Related terms
The terms below often appear alongside this one. Each definition is right here, so you do not have to look elsewhere.
- Biopsy
- Taking a small sample of tissue or cells from the body to be examined under the microscope. It is the main method of confirming the diagnosis in oncology. The procedure is usually done under local anaesthetic and takes only a short time.
- Tumor grade (G1–G4)
- A histological classification that shows how different the cancer cell is from the normal cell it came from. G1 means cells that are almost normal (less aggressive), while G4 means cells that are very different (very aggressive). It helps assess how fast the tumor is growing.
- Resection margins
- The area of healthy tissue removed together with the tumor during an operation. If the margins are clear, it means that no cancer cells can be seen under the microscope at the edge of the removed piece.
- Immunohistochemistry
- A laboratory technique that uses antibodies to detect specific proteins in tumor cells. It helps establish the exact type of cancer and choose the right treatment, especially in breast, colon and lung cancers.
- Pathology
- The medical speciality that studies diseased tissues and cells in order to establish the diagnosis. In oncology, the pathology result usually confirms the exact type of cancer and provides essential information for treatment.
Other terms in “Diagnosis”
Glossary definitions are written for patients by the OncoDots team and go through internal medical review. They explain terms; they do not establish a diagnosis and do not recommend a treatment.