Do Not Make an Uncertain Diagnosis Only by Gross Exam

Need multiple seats for your university or lab? Get a quote
The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Digital Speech Recognition Systems in an Anatomical Pathology Practice. Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

Learn more about Digital Speech Recognition Systems in an Anatomical Pathology Practice (online CE course)
Do Not Make an Uncertain Diagnosis Only by Gross Exam

It is important to describe what is objectively seen; no assumptions should be made based on possible diagnoses. It is also important to recognize the difference between diagnositc terms and descriptive terms.
Below is a table differentiating diagnostic and descriptive terms.
Diagnostic / Interpretive TermsDescriptive / Objective Terms
CarcinomaMass, lesion
HemorrhagicRed, brown
NecroticSoft, friable (papillary tumors are often mistakenly
thought to be necrotic due to their soft consistency)
PurulentGreen, foul-smelling
MalignantIrregular border, hard
MucinousSticky, viscous
InvasiveIrregular
Fat necrosisYellow, chalky
(Recommended by Lester S. in Manual of Surgical Pathology. Ebook: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2010.)