Biopsy and Pathology
Educational orientation
Source-checked: 2026-06-05. This page explains terms and workflow; it does not interpret a pathology report.
Core Idea
Pathology is the discipline that examines cells and tissues to classify disease. A biopsy removes or samples tissue so specialists can inspect architecture, cell shape, stains, and sometimes molecular features. For many cancers, pathology is the anchor that turns suspicion into diagnosis.
A report may include specimen site, procedure, tumor type, grade, margins, lymphovascular invasion, immunohistochemistry, and molecular results. Each field has a specific meaning.
Essential Vocabulary
- Specimen: the material sent to the lab.
- Histopathology: tissue diagnosis under the microscope.
- IHC: stains that detect proteins in tissue.
- Margin: edge of removed tissue.
What This Does Not Mean
A biopsy is not just a "yes/no cancer" test. It often defines the exact disease category and what other tests may matter.
Builder/Data Lens
Pathology data is highly structured in concept but often stored as narrative text. Negation, uncertainty, and specimen context are critical.
Go Deeper
References
- National Cancer Institute. Tests and Procedures Used to Diagnose Cancer
- National Cancer Institute. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms