Table 2

Language requirements for patient-centred pathology reports

Clinical element	Key requirement for patient-centred translation
General	Keep tone agnostic and/or neutral Include, but define, pathology terminology
Diagnosis	Describe the type, size and location of cancer Provide additional explanation to help place size and location in broader context of patient anatomy
Stage	Explain the ranges and directionality of stages available Provide details on what clinical elements contribute to staging
Grade	Explain the ranges and directionality of grades available Provide details on how grade connects to cancer aggressiveness
Surgical margin status	Clarify directionality of ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ margin status Provide implications to guide discussions with their provider
Ancillary studies	Connect ancillary studies to treatment decision-making Clarify when there is uncertainty about the role of ancillary studies in decision-making for an individual diagnosis