Diagnosis Guides
Plain-language guides to hundreds of diagnoses, from common noncancerous findings to cancers. Start here if your report names a specific diagnosis and you want to know what it means.
Find your diagnosis
Cancer Report Guides
Line-by-line guides to the checklist-style report created after a biopsy or surgery for cancer. Each guide covers tumor type, grade, margins, lymph nodes, and stage. Start here if you want to read through your whole cancer report in order.
Find your report guide
Childhood Cancers and Tumors
Guides to the tumors and growths found in children and teenagers, written for parents and caregivers. Start here if your child has been diagnosed and you are working through the pathology report.
Browse childhood guides
Blood Tests
Plain-language guides to common blood tests, including the complete blood count (CBC), metabolic panel, liver and thyroid tests, and hemoglobin A1c. Start here if a result on your bloodwork is flagged as high or low.
Explore blood tests
Testing for Infections
Guides to the laboratory tests used to find infections, including urine, throat, and blood cultures, culture and sensitivity (C&S) testing, and rapid tests for viruses such as COVID-19 and influenza. Start here if you want to know what a positive or negative result means.
Explore infection testing
Biomarkers and Genetic Testing
Guides to the biomarker and genetic tests performed on tumors, including hormone receptors, HER2, EGFR, and mismatch repair (MMR). Start here if your report includes a biomarker result and you want to know how it can guide treatment.
Explore biomarkers
Understanding Pathology
Articles that explain how pathology works, including how a report is organized, what TNM staging means, and what happens after your report is issued. Start here if you are new to pathology reports.
Learn the basics
Pathology Dictionary
Short, plain-language definitions of the words and phrases used in pathology reports. Start here if you want the meaning of a single term.
Search the dictionary
Procedures and Specimen Types
Guides to the pathology report you receive after a specific procedure, including colonoscopy, breast biopsy, prostate surgery, and bone marrow biopsy. Start here if you know which procedure you had and want to know what the report will describe.
Browse procedures
What is MyPathologyReport?
MyPathologyReport.com is a free, not-for-profit educational resource created by pathologists to help patients and families understand their pathology reports and laboratory test results.
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Patient stories
Through our partnership with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), you can read stories from ASCP Patient Champions, patients who share their own experiences of diagnosis and the laboratory.
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