Cancer.Net

This American Society of Clinical Oncology website provides information about seeking a second opinion, questions to ask your doctor and understanding a Pathology Report.

MyBiopsy.org

This website developed by the College of American Pathologists provides comprehensive information on how to read your breast cancer pathology report.

Y-Me Breast Cancer Support

Provides more information on "Understanding Your Breast Cancer Pathology Report."

The Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation

Provides extensive information about pathology reports, including an example of a typical report.

Helpful Hints

Ask Your Care Provider

Print out the Health History Form and ask your health care provider to help you.

Get Online Help

Use the "Learn More" links on the Health History Form for online help.

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Use the Matching Tool as a guest if you don’t want to store your Health History Form on BCT.

your Pathology Report

Knowing some of the medical terms that doctors and pathologists use to describe a breast tumor will help you to better understand your pathology report.

Tumor Type

Adenocarcinoma: All breast cancers are adenocarcinomas. The prefix "adeno" means arising from a gland. An adenocarcinoma is a tumor developed in glandular tissue, such as the breast.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): Ductal cancer cells that have not grown outside of their site of origin, sometimes referred to as a precancer.

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS): Abnormal cells within the lobule that don't form lumps. They can serve as a marker of future cancer risk.

Invasive ductal carcinoma: What we commonly refer to as breast cancer. About 80 percent of all breast cancers are invasive ductal carcinoma.

Invasive lobular carcinoma: This type of breast cancer begins in the breast lobules. About 10-15 percent of breast cancers are invasive lobular carcinoma.

Tumor Size (T)

T1 = 0-2cm
T2 = 2-5cm
T3 = greater than 5cm
T4 = ulcerating through the skin or stuck to the chest wall

(Note: 2cm = 3/4 inch; 5cm = 2 inches)

Breast Tumor Biology

Hormone Receptor Status

Estrogen Receptor: Described as positive or negative; written as ER+ or ER-.
Progesterone Receptor: Described as positive or negative; written as PR+ or PR-.

Breast cancer cells can have hormone receptors for estrogen and progesterone. Tumors that are ER+ or PR+ are fueled by estrogen. Some trials require patients to be ER+; some require patients be ER+ and/or PR+; and some require patients to be ER-.

HER2 Status

HER2, also known as HER2/neu and ErbB-2 (Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2): Described as positive or negative; written as HER2+ or HER2-.

Tumors that are HER2-positive produce too much of a protein called Her-2/neu. Some trials require patients to be HER2+; some require patients to be HER2-; and some enroll patients who are HER2+ or HER2-.

Remember:

If you have additional questions about any of your medical reports, you should speak with your physician or with the pathologist who wrote the report.