Following closure of the wound, the patient is instructed to keep the bandage dry, to wash the wound and apply antibacterial ointment, and to change the bandage daily. Patients who have stitches will be asked to keep the wound clean and dry. Stitches in the face are removed after five to eight days, while stitches elsewhere are removed within 10 to 14 days.

The sample that has been obtained during the biopsy is chemically treated with formalin (a combination of water and formaldehyde) or another preservative. The sample is sliced into thin sections that are placed on glass slides and stained to enhance contrast. It is then sent to a laboratory for analysis by a pathologist. Most traditional tissue analysis will yield results within three to 10 days. However, in some cases, it may take considerably longer or a second tissue sample may need to be taken.

Once pathology results become available, patients may want to discuss them with the pathologist, a dermatologist, oncologist (physician who specializes in tumors), or their own primary care physician. In some cases, the patient may also request a second opinion. If the second opinion comes from a physician at the same facility, the patient will probably not have to make any arrangements regarding medical records. Otherwise, the patient will either have to bring their pathology report and other medical records to the second expert, or have them sent by the facility that compiled the original report.

Information contained in a pathology report typically includes:

• Patient, physician and specimen identification. This includes the patient’s name, hospital-issued medical record number, date when biopsy or surgery was performed and the unique number of specimens issued in the laboratory.
  
  
• Clinical information. Information about the patient from the physician who removed the sample. This may include relevant medical history and special requests made to the pathologist.
  
  
• Gross description. Information about the tissue that was evident without the use of a microscope. This includes things learned from looking at, measuring or feeling the tissue.
  
  
• Microscopic description. Records what the pathologist observed with the aid of a microscope. Such information may include the appearance and arrangement of the cells.
  
  
• Diagnosis. The pathologist’s conclusion based on everything learned in the analysis. The physician will use this diagnosis as a guideline for determining the appropriate treatment options for the patient.