Understanding My Pathology Report

da1955
da1955 Member Posts: 30
in Ovarian Cancer #1
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

Comments

  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #2
    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
    da1955 Member Posts: 30
    #3
    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 I have heeded the advice of many on these boards who say much of the information you may find on the web is outdated.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
    da1955 Member Posts: 30
    #4
    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
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #5
    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
    evertheoptimist Member Posts: 140
    #6
    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
    da1955 Member Posts: 30
    #7
    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

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