A pathology report is a medical report about a piece of tissue, blood, or body organ that has been removed from your body. The specimen is analyzed by a pathologist, who then writes up a report for the medical provider who has either ordered the report or performed the procedure. Pathology reports are used by your medical provider to determine a diagnosis or treatment plan for a specific health condition or disease.
In most cases, a pathology report contains the following information:
By law, you are entitled to a copy of your medical record. You can contact your medical provider to help you get a copy of your pathology report. Procedures for obtaining medical records vary from state to state, and from facility to facility. You may have to pay a fee for your report. Copies of any pathology reports are very important to keep, as your diagnosis and treatment are often based on them. Further, understanding the report will help you and your medical provider (and any future medical providers) better understand your condition.