Diagnosis: Type of tumor/cancer and grade (how abnormal the cells look under the microscope and how quickly the tumor is likely to grow and spread).Microscopic description: How the sample looks under the microscope and how it compares with normal cells.Gross description: Color, weight, and size of tissue as seen by the naked eye.Patient information: Name, birth date, biopsy date.The pathology report may include the following information ( 1): How long after the tissue sample is taken will the pathology report be ready? Frozen sections are done when an immediate answer is needed for example, to determine whether the tissue is cancerous so as to guide the surgeon during the course of an operation. They can be done in about 15 to 20 minutes while the patient is in the operating room ( 1). A permanent section provides the best quality for examination by the pathologist and produces more accurate results than a frozen section ( 1).įrozen sections are prepared by freezing and slicing the tissue sample. After the wax has hardened, the tissue is cut into very thin slices, which are placed on slides and stained. Permanent sections are prepared by placing the tissue in fixative (usually formalin) to preserve the tissue, processing it through additional solutions, and then placing it in paraffin wax. All tissue samples are prepared as permanent sections, but sometimes frozen sections are also prepared. Two methods are used to make the tissue firm enough to cut into thin sections: frozen sections and paraffin-embedded (permanent) sections.

The tissue removed during a biopsy or surgery must be cut into thin sections, placed on slides, and stained with dyes before it can be examined under a microscope. How is tissue processed after a biopsy or surgery? What is a frozen section? Cytologic material is present in urine, cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid around the brain and spinal cord), sputum (mucus from the lungs), peritoneal (abdominal cavity) fluid, pleural (chest cavity) fluid, cervical/vaginal smears, and in fluid removed during a biopsy. The pathologist may also examine cytologic (cell) material. This is known as histologic (tissue) examination and is usually the best way to tell if cancer is present. Tissue removed during a biopsy is sent to a pathology laboratory, where it is sliced into thin sections for viewing under a microscope.

If the entire tumor is removed, typically some normal tissue around the tumor is also removed. Surgery is used to remove part of the tumor or the entire tumor.An endoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is used to look at areas inside the body and remove cells or tissues.A needle is used to withdraw tissue or fluid.Some common ways a biopsy can be done are as follows: In most cases, a doctor needs to do a biopsy or surgery to remove cells or tissues for examination under a microscope.

Pathology cancer