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Pathology records

Keeping Your Own Copy of the — Report and Images

Your biopsy is a baseline. Whether the result is benign or malignant, that record can answer questions that arise years from now — in a different city, under a different doctor, or if the disease behaves unexpectedly. Most people are never told to keep it. You should.

Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026

  • Report and slides, not just one — The written report is what the pathologist concluded. The slides are the actual tissue — another pathologist can review them independently.
  • No expiry on relevance — A biopsy baseline from ten years ago can resolve a question that comes up in your care today or much further down the line.
  • The lab holds the block — Paraffin tissue blocks are stored at the laboratory, not given to you — but you can request their location and, when needed, a transfer.
  • Digital copies survive everything — A scanned copy in cloud storage survives a house move, a flood, or a family member's memory failing at a critical moment.
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Ask the laboratory or your oncologist for a printed and digital copy of your pathology report, and request your glass slides or a digital scan of them. Keep both indefinitely — a biopsy from ten years ago can answer a question that arises today. Store the report in cloud backup as well as a physical file at home.

What should you ask for, and why does each item matter?

The pathology report is the written document — the pathologist's diagnosis, the tumour grade and type if applicable, and the findings on margins and lymph nodes. This is the record most people think of when they think of a biopsy result.

The glass slides are what the report is based on. They are thin sections of your tissue mounted on glass and stained so a microscope can read them. A second pathologist, reviewing the same slides years later, may confirm, refine, or disagree with the original conclusion.

If the laboratory performed additional tests — immunohistochemistry stains, molecular testing, or a gene panel — those reports are separate documents. Ask for all of them, not just the main report.

The paraffin-embedded tissue block is the original tissue from your biopsy, preserved in wax. Laboratories retain this on your behalf, but it does not automatically follow you if you change hospitals. Note which laboratory holds yours and what their contact details are.

Which records should you keep, who holds them, and for how long?

ItemWhat it containsWho holds itHow long to keep
Pathology reportWritten diagnosis, grade, margins, lymph node findingsYou, once you request itIndefinitely
Glass slidesStained tissue sections on glass for microscope reviewLaboratoryIndefinitely — ask for a copy or digital scan for your own records
Paraffin tissue blockOriginal biopsy tissue embedded in waxLaboratoryConfirm their retention policy and note the lab's name and reference number
IHC or stain reportProtein marker results from additional stainingYou, once you request itIndefinitely
Molecular or gene panel reportMutation or biomarker results from DNA testingYou, once you request itIndefinitely

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How to get and store your records

  1. Ask at the time of diagnosis

    Request a copy of the full pathology report at your first appointment after the biopsy. Do not assume your oncologist's notes cover everything the written report contains.

  2. Ask for your slides or a digital scan

    Contact the laboratory directly and ask whether they can give you the original glass slides, a duplicate set, or a digital whole-slide image. Not all laboratories offer digital scans, but it is worth asking.

  3. Note where your paraffin block is held

    Ask the laboratory for their full name, address, and the specimen reference number attached to your block. Write this down. If you change hospitals, this is the information that allows the block to be located and transferred.

  4. Scan the paper report and upload it

    Use a phone camera or scanner to create a clear digital copy. Upload it to a durable cloud storage service — one you expect to be using in ten or twenty years.

  5. Tell a family member where everything is

    Keep the physical copy in a clearly labelled folder at home. Tell the person most likely to accompany you to appointments where it is. Medical records are often needed urgently, and someone may need to find them on your behalf.

Did you know?

Second-opinion pathology review — where a second pathologist reads the same slides independently — changes or refines the diagnosis in a meaningful number of cases.

That review is only possible if the slides still exist and can be located. A record you hold yourself is the most reliable way to make sure they can be.

Source: ASCO guidance on second-opinion pathology review in cancer diagnosis

Explore 112 more Markers, Molecular Testing and Test Accuracy topics

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All Markers, Molecular Testing and Test Accuracy →

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to keep my biopsy records if the result was benign?

Yes. A documented benign baseline is genuinely useful evidence. If a new growth appears in the same area years later, your original biopsy tells the pathologist what the tissue looked like before any change. Without it, there is no comparison point. Keep the report indefinitely, and note where the slides and block are held — even if you never need to act on that information.

Can I take my slides with me if I seek a second opinion at another hospital?

Yes. You can request that your laboratory loan or transfer the slides to another institution. Contact the laboratory directly with the receiving institution's name and address. Bring your specimen reference number — without it, tracking the slides takes considerably longer. Some laboratories charge an administrative fee for this, which is separate from any clinical cost at the receiving centre.

What is the difference between my slides and the paraffin block?

The paraffin block is the original biopsy tissue, preserved in wax. Slides are made from it — thin slices are cut, mounted on glass, and stained for microscope reading. One block can produce many slides, which is why the block is the more valuable original. You are unlikely to be given the block itself; laboratories retain it on your behalf. What you can usually obtain is a set of slides, or a digital scan of them if the laboratory offers that service.

What if the laboratory tells me the block or slides have been discarded?

Ask for that confirmation in writing, including the date of disposal and the retention policy the laboratory followed. The written pathology report remains your record even when the physical material is no longer available. If the disposal affects a clinical decision — for example, a second opinion is now not possible — tell your oncologist, who can consider whether a repeat biopsy might be an option given your current situation.

Can a hospital or laboratory refuse to give me a copy of my report?

Your pathology report is your medical record. Patients in India are entitled to copies of their medical records on request under established medical practice guidelines. If a facility refuses, put your request in writing. If the refusal continues, your treating oncologist can make a formal request on your behalf, or you can contact the facility's medical records department directly and ask them to state their reason in writing.

Full index

Browse all 701 biopsy topics

Every page in this section, grouped by the part of the journey it belongs to. Pick a group to see what is in it.

What Is a Biopsy?

What Is a Biopsy? Everything You Need to Know →

Types of Biopsy Compared

Which Biopsy Will You Have? Techniques Compared →

Preparing for a Biopsy

What to Expect on the Day of Your Biopsy →

Recovery and Aftercare

After a Biopsy: Recovery, Aftercare and Warning Signs →

Biopsy by Body Part

Biopsy by Body Part: What to Expect at Each Site →

Understanding Your Report

How to Read a Biopsy Report: Terms Explained →

IHC and Molecular Markers

IHC and Molecular Markers on a Biopsy: What They Mean →

Grading and Scoring Systems

Cytology & Prostate Scoring Systems Explained →

How Accurate Is a Biopsy?

How Accurate Is a Biopsy? Errors and Second Opinions →

If Your Result Is Benign

Your Biopsy Is Benign: What It Means and What Comes Next →

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