Understanding My Pathology Report

da1955

Ihad my second surgery to remove my uterus, cervix, right ovary and omentum on August 24. The surgeon told me the news from the pathology report was good, and I don't doubt him. But, when I read the surgical pathology report, it does not sound good. How can I learn to interpret this report? I have been to other websites with glossaries, but the wording on my report does not appear in their listings. For example, "Involvement by high-grade papillary serous carcinoma." Any resources you could point me to would be welcome. Thanks for helping a "newbie":) Deb

Tethys41

Translation
Deb,
Someone else may have a suggestion, but I've always had luck googling information I am hoping to find interpretations for. The sentence you gave as an example could mean a number of things, depending upon the context it was within. High-grade serous carcinoma, is definitely cancer. So, when your doctor says the news was good, I think you need a better definition of what he means. If I was in your position and wanted a deeper interpretation, I'd ask my doctor.

da1955

Tethys41 said:

Translation
Deb,
Someone else may have a suggestion, but I've always had luck googling information I am hoping to find interpretations for. The sentence you gave as an example could mean a number of things, depending upon the context it was within. High-grade serous carcinoma, is definitely cancer. So, when your doctor says the news was good, I think you need a better definition of what he means. If I was in your position and wanted a deeper interpretation, I'd ask my doctor.

Good Advice
Yes, I know I should ask him...I just feel I would like to know also by finding information on my own. I have heeded the advice of many on these boards who say much of the information you may find on the web is outdated. Sometimes I feel like I am learning a new language. Wish I had taken Latin way back Deb

da1955

Tethys41 said:

Translation
Deb,
Someone else may have a suggestion, but I've always had luck googling information I am hoping to find interpretations for. The sentence you gave as an example could mean a number of things, depending upon the context it was within. High-grade serous carcinoma, is definitely cancer. So, when your doctor says the news was good, I think you need a better definition of what he means. If I was in your position and wanted a deeper interpretation, I'd ask my doctor.

Good Advice
Yes, I know I should ask him...I just feel I would like to know also by finding information on my own. I have heeded the advice of many on these boards who say much of the information you may find on the web is outdated. Sometimes I feel like I am learning a new language. Wish I had taken Latin way back Deb

Tethys41

da1955 said:

Good Advice
Yes, I know I should ask him...I just feel I would like to know also by finding information on my own. I have heeded the advice of many on these boards who say much of the information you may find on the web is outdated. Sometimes I feel like I am learning a new language. Wish I had taken Latin way back Deb

I took Latin
For two years, and still have to look everything up.

evertheoptimist

the key word in the quoted
the key word in the quoted text is "high grade". If this is grade 3 they mean, it is aggressive form of cancer, and can evolve very fast from an early stage to late stage.

It's not all that bad: usually, high grade cancers are very chemo sensitive - meaning, they respond to chemo well. Chemo works best on rapidly dividing cells, and aggressive cancer cells divide faster- that's why high grade cancer is aggressive.

I have high grade (grade 3). My starting point was pretty bad (widely metastatic and sub optimal debulking with a tumor the size of a large lime left behind). My 18 week dose dense chemo put me in remission against heavy odds (my own very good friend who happens to be an OB/GYN thought that I would probably need longer treatment due to the tumor left behind). The chemo literally obliterated the tumor!

At the same time, I know how fast my cancer can progress, so I am very vigilant for any signs of recurrence. Unlike women with lower grade cancer, mine can progress very fast, and if there is any sign of recurrence, I should be waiting till the next schedule exam,etc.

Good luck.

da1955

evertheoptimist said:

the key word in the quoted
the key word in the quoted text is "high grade". If this is grade 3 they mean, it is aggressive form of cancer, and can evolve very fast from an early stage to late stage.

It's not all that bad: usually, high grade cancers are very chemo sensitive - meaning, they respond to chemo well. Chemo works best on rapidly dividing cells, and aggressive cancer cells divide faster- that's why high grade cancer is aggressive.

I have high grade (grade 3). My starting point was pretty bad (widely metastatic and sub optimal debulking with a tumor the size of a large lime left behind). My 18 week dose dense chemo put me in remission against heavy odds (my own very good friend who happens to be an OB/GYN thought that I would probably need longer treatment due to the tumor left behind). The chemo literally obliterated the tumor!

At the same time, I know how fast my cancer can progress, so I am very vigilant for any signs of recurrence. Unlike women with lower grade cancer, mine can progress very fast, and if there is any sign of recurrence, I should be waiting till the next schedule exam,etc.

Good luck.

Thanks
Thanks so much for the explanation, ever. I appreciate your putting it in terms I can understand. The histologic grade was "poorly differentiated, G3". Now I understand why he said high grade isn't so bad. I am so happy your chemo put you in remission and obliterated the tumor. Deb