Biopsy results how long does it take

The waiting is the worse part. Could you ask your GP to find out for you? Ask the hospital what is their policy for time limits. Your poor mind must be spinning. Keep pestering until you get your important result.

Good luck. Thanks so much for replying it's good to know someone's out there. I did telephone the hospital but they said they'll get in contact when results are ready - this is the 9th day now. My doctor is not available this morning, so I'll keep on trying. I just think if it's such a battle to get the results what's the communication over treatment going to be like?

It's driving me mad and usually I'm not like this, normally I'm sort of organised and try to get things done , this is so frustrating! Hi June, I had biopses, seven of them on 15th June and was due to get results on 24th June. At my initial appointment on 10th June I was appointedd a breast nurse. When I phoned her 21st June she said she had the results and came to visit me. I thought I had biopses! Check with the Hospital to see if you have a breast nurse. Waiting is the worse.

Tell the hospital and GP you want to know. You may have been appointed a breast nurse but to be honest at the time it is a case of information in one ear and out of the other. Take care and let me know how you go on, Linda. I think it may depend on time period for results however, keep phoning them to see.

Do let us know how you get on. The waiting is definitely the worse and the not knowing Remember technology is brilliant these days, so stay strong and positive, kind regards, Liz. If a condition has already been diagnosed, a biopsy can also be used to assess its severity such as the degree of inflammation and grade such as the aggressiveness of a cancer. This information can be very useful when deciding on the most appropriate treatment, and assessing how well a person responds to a particular type of treatment.

It can also be useful in helping to determine a person's overall prognosis outlook. It's not usually possible to tell whether a lump or growth on your skin or inside your body is cancerous malignant or non-cancerous benign by clinical examination alone, which is why a biopsy is often required. There are various types of biopsy that can be used to help identify a wide range of health conditions.

How a biopsy is carried out will depend on where the tissue sample is being taken from. After the tissue sample is taken, it will be examined under a microscope to help identify the nature of the problem. This often means that a definite diagnosis can be made.

The type of stains and tests that are used when the tissue is examined under the microscope will depend on the medical condition being investigated. In these cases, extra pieces of tissue might need processing. Or the lab may need to make more slices of the tissue that has already been embedded in wax blocks. Either case can add 1or 2 days to the testing time.

Although most cancers can be found by looking at routinely stained sections, sometimes special stains or other tests may be needed to make an accurate diagnosis. For example, histochemical or immunohistochemical stains usually delay results for another day. Other advanced tests like flow cytometry, electron microscopy, and molecular genetic tests can take even longer, sometimes days, before results are ready.

Another important reason for delaying a pathology report is that the pathologist may want to get a second opinion from an expert. Unlike some chemical tests done in the lab to measure the amount of a specific substance or to look at whether a substance is present or absent, testing tissue or cell samples for cancer is based on the professional opinion of the pathologist who looks at the sample under the microscope.

Although the abnormal features of some cancers are obvious, some have features that are very hard to recognize. Also, pathologists are often reluctant to diagnose certain very rare types of cancer without getting a second opinion from an expert who specializes in that area.

There are pathology experts specializing in almost every organ system digestive, head and neck, breast, bone, reproductive, etc. When hard or rare cases come up, slides are usually sent to experts by overnight mail or as digital images. A pathologist, who specializes in interpreting laboratory tests and evaluating cells, tissues, and organs to diagnose disease. He or she analyzes the tissue sample s removed during a biopsy.

A cytologist, who specializes in the study of cells. He or she may perform a fine needle aspiration. Preparation for a biopsy depends on the type of biopsy you will have.

For example, there is little preparation for a fine needle biopsy performed in a doctor's office. In some cases, you will need to remove your clothing and wear a gown. Also ask if you should take your regular medications that day. For certain biopsies, your doctor will want to know if you are taking blood thinners or aspirin. Tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you are taking. You will be asked to sign a consent form that states you understand the benefits and risks of the biopsy and agree to have the test done.

Depending on the part of your body the doctor will biopsy, you may lay on your stomach or back or sit up during the procedure. For some types of biopsies, you may need to hold your breath while the needle is inserted or stay still. Your health care team will let you know ahead of time what to expect during the procedure. Before the procedure, you will usually receive a type of anesthesia to block the awareness of pain.

The type of anesthesia the doctor uses depends on the type of procedure and where in the body the biopsy is needed. The following types may be used:. Local anesthesia is an injection that numbs the area where a procedure is being done. You may feel some stinging when the doctor injects a local anesthetic by needle.

Conscious sedation or monitored anesthesia care uses medication to relax you. It is usually given through an intravenous IV tube and is often combined with a local or regional anesthesia. General anesthesia makes you unconscious during a major procedure, such as surgery. If you receive a general anesthetic, you will not be aware of the procedure.

The least invasive procedures require no recovery time. You may be able to go back to your normal activities immediately after the procedure.

If you receive sedation as part of the anesthesia, you will usually need someone to drive you home after the procedure. After a biopsy, talk with your doctor or nurse about taking care of the biopsy area. Also, be aware of the potential complications from the procedure. The amount of time it will take for you to receive the results of the biopsy depends on how many tests are needed on the sample to make a diagnosis.

Based on this analysis, a pathologist determines whether the tissue removed contains a tumor and what type it is. A result can often be given within 2 to 3 days after the biopsy. A result that requires a more complicated analysis can take 7 to 10 days. Ask your doctor how you will receive the biopsy results and who will explain them to you. When will I learn the results of the biopsy? How will I receive the information? Who will explain the results to me?