1
A Sample Is Collected
Tissue or cells may be obtained through a biopsy, cytology procedure, lymph node sampling, or surgery.
Lung Cancer Pathology Support
Understanding Your Lung Cancer Pathology Report
Get a clearer explanation of your biopsy findings, cancer type, subtype, biomarkers, lymph node findings, margins, and any additional testing that may still be pending.
Not sure which service you need? Compare your options →This consultation provides educational support and a clearer explanation of an existing pathology report. It does not replace your treating physician, oncologist, or medical care team.
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Understand Key FindingsType, subtype, stains and report details
Prepare Better QuestionsSupport conversations with your care team
Identify Pending ItemsAdditional stains, testing or clarification
Compassionate GuidanceCalm explanations without unnecessary jargon
Understanding the Process
How Lung Cancer Is Confirmed
Imaging may identify an area that needs further investigation, but a tissue or cell sample is generally required to confirm a lung cancer diagnosis. The sample is examined by a pathologist, who may also request additional stains or laboratory testing.
2
A Pathologist Examines It
The pathologist reviews the tissue or cells under a microscope and may request additional stains or tests.
3
Findings Are Reported
The diagnosis, subtype, relevant features, and any pending or additional findings are documented in the pathology report.
Important:
the pathology report is a central part of the diagnostic
process, but the complete clinical picture may also depend on
imaging, lymph node evaluation, laboratory results, and other
medical findings.
Inside the Report
What Your Lung Cancer Pathology Report May Tell You
The information available depends partly on the type and size of the sample. A small biopsy, cytology sample, lymph node sample, and surgical resection report may contain different levels of detail.
Not every report contains every item.
Some findings may appear in an addendum or a
separate molecular testing report after the initial
pathology report has been issued.
Cancer Type
The report may identify small cell lung cancer or non-small cell lung cancer.
Histologic Subtype
It may describe a subtype such as adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or another recognised pattern.
Grade or Differentiation
Where applicable, the report may describe how closely the tumour cells resemble normal cells.
Tumour Size and Extension
A surgical report may document tumour size and whether it extends into nearby structures.
Lymph Node Findings
Sampled lymph nodes may be reported as involved or not involved by cancer.
Surgical Margins
After surgery, the report may describe whether tumour is present at or near a removed tissue edge.
Additional Stains
Special stains may help the pathologist classify the cancer and distinguish it from other possible diagnoses.
Comments and Pending Tests
The report may include explanatory comments, limitations, addenda, or tests that have not yet been completed.
Personalised Report Support
Need Help Understanding These Lung Pathology Findings?
Meet online with a pathologist for a clearer explanation of the cancer type, subtype, lymph node findings, margins, stains, comments, and pending items documented in your report.
Additional Testing
Biomarkers, Molecular Testing and PD-L1
Additional tests may help the treating team better understand the tumour and consider whether targeted therapy or immunotherapy may be relevant. Results may appear later in an addendum or separate report.
Molecular Testing
Molecular testing examines certain tumour characteristics that may provide additional information for the care team. The exact tests requested can depend on the diagnosis, sample, and clinical situation.
PD-L1 Testing
PD-L1 testing may provide information that the oncology team considers when assessing immunotherapy options. It must be interpreted alongside the diagnosis and wider clinical picture.
Why Results May Be Pending
Testing can require additional laboratory work, enough viable tumour tissue, and time for review. A limited sample may affect which tests can be completed.
Initial Pathology Report
The preliminary or final tissue diagnosis is documented.
Additional Testing
Special stains, PD-L1, or molecular testing may be requested.
Addendum or Separate Report
Further results may be issued after the original report.
Biomarker Guidance
Questions About Molecular Testing or PD-L1 Results?
Get a patient-friendly explanation of biomarker, molecular-testing, and PD-L1 findings already documented in your report, including results that may still be pending.
Understanding Report Language
What May Still Be Uncertain or Pending
An initial report may not answer every question. Some wording reflects a sample limitation, a finding that needs further testing, or the need to compare pathology with imaging and other clinical information.
“Insufficient” or “limited sample”
The sample may not contain enough suitable tissue or cells to answer every diagnostic or testing question.
“Suspicious” or “inconclusive”
The findings may raise concern but may not be definitive based on the material available.
“Favour” or “consistent with”
The findings support a particular interpretation, while recognising the report’s context or limitations.
“Cannot exclude”
A possibility cannot be completely ruled out from the current sample or available information.
“Pending additional studies”
Further stains, molecular testing, or review may still be underway.
How We Help
A Clearer Explanation of the Report You Already Have
HONEST Pathology helps patients understand the language and findings documented in an existing pathology report, so they can approach conversations with their care team with better context and more focused questions.
1
Submit Your Report and Relevant Records
Provide the pathology report and any relevant documents requested for the consultation.
2
Meet Online With a Pathologist
Discuss the report in a private virtual consultation and ask questions about the documented findings.
3
Leave With Clearer Questions
Receive a clearer explanation of the report and identify questions you may wish to discuss with your treating care team.
The Consultation May Include
- Explanation of the final diagnosis and cancer subtype shown in the report
- Discussion of stains, biomarkers, and molecular results already documented
- Review of lymph node or margin findings, where applicable
- Identification of report limitations, addenda, and tests that are still pending
- Help preparing questions for your treating physician or oncology team
The Consultation Does Not Include
- Treatment recommendations or replacement of your oncology team
- A physical examination or complete clinical assessment
- A new pathology diagnosis based only on a report explanation
- Microscopic slide review unless a separate pathology second-opinion service is arranged
Trust-building detail to add:
Insert the consulting pathologist’s name, board
certification, professional credentials, and relevant
lung or surgical pathology experience here.
Choosing the Right Service
Report Consultation or Second Opinion?
These services serve different purposes. The right option depends on whether you need an explanation of an existing report or an independent review of pathology materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Lung Cancer Pathology Reports
These answers provide general educational information. Details can vary depending on the sample, report, testing, and wider clinical context.
Can a pathology report tell me what type of lung cancer I have?
A pathology report may identify whether the cancer is small cell or non-small cell lung cancer and may provide a more specific histologic subtype. The level of detail can depend on the type and amount of tissue available.
Why are additional stains or molecular tests still pending?
Additional stains or molecular tests may require more laboratory processing, specialist review, and enough suitable tumour tissue. Results may therefore appear later in an addendum or separate report.
Does my pathology report include the complete cancer stage?
Not always. Pathology may provide important information used in staging, but the complete stage can also depend on imaging, lymph node evaluation, surgical findings, and other clinical information.
What does it mean if the sample was insufficient or inconclusive?
It may mean that the sample did not contain enough suitable tissue or cells to answer every question, or that the findings were not definitive. The care team may consider additional testing or another procedure depending on the wider situation.
Can you explain my report without reviewing the slides?
A pathology report consultation can focus on explaining the diagnosis, terminology, stains, biomarkers, margins, lymph nodes, comments, and pending items already documented in the report. It is not the same as independently reviewing the pathology slides.
When should I consider a formal pathology second opinion?
A formal second opinion may be worth discussing when the diagnosis is complex, uncertain, unexpected, or when an independent review of the slides or tissue material may provide additional value. The appropriate next step depends on the individual case.
Clearer Answers Begin Here
Get Clearer Answers About Your Lung Pathology Report
Understand the terminology, findings, biomarkers, limitations, and pending items documented in your report, so you can have a more informed conversation with your treating care team.
Educational support only. This service does not replace your treating physician, oncologist, or medical care team.
