How does the pathologist make a diagnosis?

The pathologist examines a biopsy specimen along with other tests if necessary. A biopsy is the most widely used method for detecting ILC breast cancer. During a biopsy procedure, the surgeon removes cells or tissues from the suspicious area for the pathologist to examine more closely in the laboratory. In some cases, a biopsy may be performed with surgery. The surgeon removes all or part of the tumor for the pathologist to examine. Laboratory testing enables the pathologist to determine the type of cancer and whether or not it is invasive. The pathologist examines the tissue sample under a microscope and assigns a histologic type and histologic tumor grade to it. Grade 1 cancers tend to grow the slowest, while Grade 3 tumors spread more aggressively. The pathologist also notes the size of the tumor, how close the cancer is to the edge of the tissue removed by the surgeon, and whether the tumor invaded blood or lymphatic vessels. These factors help pathologists determine the ...  more