Can a pathologist report be wrong?

Although tests aren’t 100\% accurate all the time, receiving a wrong answer from a cancer biopsy – called a false positive or a false negative – can be especially distressing. While data are limited, an incorrect biopsy result generally is thought to occur in 1 to 2\% of surgical pathology cases.

How accurate are pathologist?

Pathologist experience positively predicted accuracy. Case characteristics and eye movement patterns interactively predicted accuracy. Higher zooming behavior predicted diagnostic over-interpretation.

Can you get a second opinion on a pathology report?

However, it’s possible to seek out a pathology second opinion on your own — just make sure your insurance covers it, if cost is a concern for you. Contact the pathology department where you will be getting a second opinion and find out exactly what the pathologist will need.

Can DCIS be misdiagnosed?

IDC may be misdiagnosed as DCIS by preoperative biopsy. As mentioned above, 25.9\% (18.6–37.2\%) of cases preoperatively diagnosed as DCIS have been reported to be IDC according to a meta-analysis [5]. However, the ratio of misdiagnosis in this study was 40.7\%, higher than that previously reported.

Why would a pathologist get a second opinion?

A second opinion should be obtained by a physician for a challenging case in an attempt to arrive at an accurate diagnosis leading to optimal treatment. And second opinions should be requested by patients when diagnoses require life-altering therapy, to ensure accurate diagnoses and proper treatment plans.

How does pathologist make diagnosis?

The pathologist views the slides with the sections of the specimen under a microscope. Then, the pathologist creates a pathology report based on what is seen under the microscope. The report is very technical, using terms that are meaningful to other pathologists and doctors.

Why would a pathologist want a second opinion?

Can a DCIS biopsy be wrong?

Pathologists mistakenly found something suspicious in 13 percent of normal tissue. They had similar trouble with a condition called DCIS — 13 percent of these cases were misdiagnosed as less serious, while 3 percent were mistaken for invasive cancer.