CancerExplained.org · Free health handout
Pathology Report Terms
Plain-language meanings for words on a pathology report
The basics
- Pathology report — the written result after a pathologist examines a tissue or fluid sample.
- Specimen — the sample of tissue or fluid that was examined.
- Gross description — what the sample looked like to the naked eye (size, color, weight).
- Microscopic description — what the cells looked like under the microscope.
Words you may see
- Benign — not cancer. Malignant — cancer.
- Grade — how abnormal the cells look and how quickly they may grow; often written as a number (e.g. grade 1–3).
- Margins — the edges of removed tissue; "negative" or "clear" margins means no cancer cells were seen at the edge.
- In situ — abnormal cells that have stayed where they started. Invasive — cells that have grown into nearby tissue.
- Lymph node involvement — whether cancer cells were found in nearby lymph nodes.
- Biomarkers / receptors — features of the cells (like proteins or gene changes) that can help guide treatment choices.
Good questions for your healthcare team
- Can you walk me through my report in plain language?
- Which parts of this report matter most for my next steps?
- Can I get a copy of the report for my records?
A pathology report is written for doctors — you're not expected to decode it alone. Ask your healthcare team to explain yours.
This handout is for education only and is not medical advice. Talk with a qualified healthcare professional about what is right for you.
Sources: NCI: Pathology reports fact sheet. Updated 2026-07-05.
Learn more in plain language: https://cancerexplained.org/diagnosis/pathology-reports/ — free to copy and share for non-commercial education.