Long wait for pathology results?

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Mellym1975
Mellym1975 Member Posts: 2
edited December 2021 in Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results

First time poster here. I had a bilateral mastectomy on November 23, 2021 and today is Friday, December 3, 2021 and I am going into the weekend without having my final pathology report. I met with my surgeon yesterday who said results were not yet back. He also said that doesn't necessarily mean the news is bad...the pathologist are just being extra careful in looking at everything. HIs last remark is that he would call me when he had the results.

I am seriously about to have a meltdown trying to hold it together. I was diagnosed with DCIS in both breast after biopsies. I have read that this can often be upgraded after final pathology.

Have any of you had to wait this long?? Just needing reassurance that this might be normal.

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  • Waves2Stars
    Waves2Stars Member Posts: 158
    edited December 2021

    I think my pathology took 10 days, and that wasn’t during a holiday week. They went over the HER2 results with another pathologist to be sure. I’m sorry this wait is tough on you! It is a scary time for sure! I hope you’re recovering well from your BMX

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  • 1982M
    1982M Member Posts: 300
    edited December 2021

    I had to wait 3 weeks after my lumpectomy and results did not come back worse then expected. They actually came back better. My tumour was smaller then initially though.

    Hope you get your pathology soon. I know its very difficult waiting.

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited December 2021

    Mine took about three weeks in July 2018. It depends on the size of the lab, available pathologists and technicians to prepare the specimens, and how many surgical specimens are coming in at any time.

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  • tntnsd
    tntnsd Member Posts: 137
    edited December 2021

    Sorry that your pathology result took so long. I got mine about 3 days after my mastectomy surgery (the surgery was quite early in the morning). Anyhow, before surgery, I did ask my surgeon about when the pathology result would be available; she did say that sometime it took longer depending on the workload of the lab and the pathologist, she did mention sometimes it took almost 2 weeks. It does not mean it would be worse and better either way. She promised to call me asap, even weekend when it is available to her (before it was released to portal for us to see).
    Wish you the best on your healing and favorable result

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  • MountainMia
    MountainMia Member Posts: 1,307
    edited December 2021

    Also many labs don't release results until after a 2nd pathologist has reviewed. You WANT a second look at it, regardless of status. But waiting for that to happen can extend the time. Good luck.

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  • ThreeTree
    ThreeTree Member Posts: 709
    edited December 2021

    Mellym1975 - Waiting is indeed the worst! As others have said on here though, sometimes the results are better than what was expected. Do you have access to a "patient portal"; something like MyChart? If you do, the results will be posted there as soon as they are ready, even over the weekend if that is the case. You don't have to wait for the doctor anymore this way. There's a new law that says results get posted right away, so sometimes you will even get them before the doctor. Fingers crossed that you get good news!

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  • Roo73
    Roo73 Member Posts: 42
    edited December 2021

    In case it helps… I had a long wait (4 weeks). This was end of August / early September. I suspect that the tumour board just took a week or two off. My hospital does not release surgical path reports automatically via MyChart, and they don't like to tell you anything until they've met about it, which they do on Mondays, thus Labour Day, etc. etc. I'm in Canada, so I don't think the law people are talking about applies.

    I thought 4 weeks was a bit much, but 2-3 weeks seems to be par for the course. Some people get them sooner, but the wait you are describing is absolutely normal. Not that I researched it obsessively or anything. Longest 4 weeks of my life.

    But as others have said, don't read anything into it. As a few people on these boards have pointed out, breast cancer is a personal emergency, but not a medical emergency—meaning that we're not at the front of the queue.

    This is definitely the worst part, and I hope you get your results soon.

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  • Mellym1975
    Mellym1975 Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2021

    Thanks to all for replying. Your responses will help me get through this upcoming weekend so I do appreciate your taking the time to post and make me feel better.

    Interesting what you said Threetree about My Chart posting the results so fast. When I had my first few biopsies, the ultrasound tech told me they do not post results before the Dr. sees them “for obvious reasons.” So, I have been seeing very little about my test results at this particular hospital until well after I have talked to the Dr. And yet at other hospitals, I have been privy to results before the Dr. sees them. So, I find it frustrating that it’s taking so long to find out anything at this hospital. I was unaware of a law that enables one to see their results so quickly.

    Hopefully I will find out something early next week. I will let you all know something as soon as I know.

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  • Oxbury
    Oxbury Member Posts: 26
    edited December 2021
    I had DCIS in both breasts, and the double mastectomy on 30 July. I got my pathology results (more DCIS) on 13 August.

    I hate that when I've ever mentioned this whole waiting for results anxiety to anyone they're like if it was bad they would call you. Maybe they would, but it doesn't make waiting for test or pathology results any easier. My thoughts are with you at the moment. Sending best wishes that it all goes well.
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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited December 2021

    Also several docs have told me that the labs are really backed up due to Covid. It's taken extra time for all my tests this year.

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  • ThreeTree
    ThreeTree Member Posts: 709
    edited December 2021

    Mellym1975 - I would agree with MinusTwo about the lab back up these days. Every time I go for any sort of appointment at my center, it's obvious that they are swamped with people and work. I think many places are understaffed these days also, so I am sure that is part of it too.

    If you are in the US the new test result law should apply and you should be getting those results via MyChart as soon as they are ready. That said, they may well be backed up and not ready as soon as usual. My understanding is that the law went into effect over the summer or this fall. If your staff people were telling you you'd have to wait for the dr for "obvious reasons", they might not have been well informed. I'd keep checking MyChart if I were you, unless you prefer to wait for the doctor, which some do.

    I didn't have a citation before, so looked it up. There are multiple sites that talk about this, I just picked a random one to post here:

    https://reliantmedicalgroup.org/blog/2021/04/29/ne...


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