Waiting for Results

Getting the results of your pathology report

The results of your pathology report will probably be ready three to seven days after your surgery. This period of waiting may be one of the hardest you will face.

The best way to help yourself with this waiting period is to find out from your doctor—in advance—when you are likely to get a phone call and how the information will be given to you. Will it be over the phone? Or in an office visit? Prepare yourself for the fact that the pathology report comes back in pieces, so you will have only part of the answer you're looking for at first. Try not to make a judgment about your situation until all the information is available.

Once all the results are in, your doctor will review the pathology report with you and discuss next steps, including your need for additional ("adjuvant") therapy such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both.

To help "translate" your pathology report and talk to your doctor about it, read our section on Your Pathology Report.

Questions to ask your surgeon after surgery

• What were the results of my pathology report?
  
  
  
  
• What further treatment do I need?
  
  
  
  
• Of the symptoms I feel right now (describe them), which are likely to go away and which will remain?