It can feel like you’re learning a new language when you log into your patient portal to try and understand the pathology reports, lab results, or scans that got added to your record.

We’ve created some guides to help you understand the different tests you may need and how to make informed health decisions regarding your treatment.

Quick Tip: If you use a patient portal, it can be very tempting to review your results on your own, prior to your doctor’s review. But to avoid jumping to conclusions or misreading the results, review them alongside your doctor.

It can feel like you’re learning a new language when you log into your patient portal to try and understand the pathology reports, lab results, or scans that got added to your record.

We’ve created some guides to help you understand the different tests you may need and how to make informed health decisions regarding your treatment.

Genetic testing looks for any gene mutations in your DNA that may have led to your cancer, or a high risk of cancer in
your biological family. There are multiple types of genetic tests and several genes that increase colorectal cancer risk.

Any time tissue is removed from your body—from a colon polyp to a piece of a tumor—it is sent to a pathologist for careful review under a microscope. Pathology reports help you uncover if a biopsy is cancerous, the tumor grade, and tumor stage.

Blood tests and lab work are not unique to cancer patients, but they’re critical because they can indicate things like how your body is handling treatment, whether you have vitamin/nutrient deficiencies, and some, called tumor markers, may indicate if your body contains more or less disease.

Every colorectal cancer patient will be sent for imaging at some point, and oftentimes at multiple points. Scans are helpful tools in helping your doctors see what is happening inside your body’s organs. The imaging tests you need will depend on the stage of your cancer and your lab results.