Different labs use their own terminology when reporting biopsy results, but as a general rule, biopsy results can be divided into inconclusive, normal, benign, noncancerous, and cancerous results. Biopsy results can also include a lot of fancy medical terminology that can be intimidating to the layman, so it's important to review biopsy results with a doctor to make sure they're understood.
If the biopsy results are inconclusive, it means there was not enough material to test, or something went wrong with the lab tests or the biopsy procedure. The doctor may request a repeat test or decide to wait and see for focus, retesting in a few months, depending on the situation. Normal results are returned when an apparently suspicious area turns out to be perfectly normal when investigated in the laboratory.
Benign biopsy results indicate that a growth was found, but that the growth is not malignant. When benign results are returned, the pathologist usually informs the physician of the type of growth involved, as there are numerous types of benign growths in the body. Noncancerous results indicate that abnormal cell growth is occurring and is cause for concern, but it is definitely not cancer. It's also not necessarily benign, meaning the site may need to be biopsied again in the future to monitor for growth. A classic example of a noncancerous outcome is atypical hyperplasia, a formal way of saying "abnormal cell growth."
In cases where a biopsy reveals the presence of cancer, the biopsy results will include a discussion of the type of cancer, its size, its location, and its margins. The pathologist will also describe the stage of the cancer, referring to how far it has spread. All of this information can be used to develop a cancer treatment plan.
Turnaround time on biopsy results may vary. Some hospitals have their own labs with technicians who can quickly examine biopsies and return results in as little as a day. Others rely on work done by remote labs, in which case the turnaround time will be longer because the material must be sent to the lab and examined by pathologists who may have a lot of work to do. When a biopsy is done, the doctor should be able to provide information about how long the patient will have to wait for results.