How to Get Your Colonoscopy Results (Including Biopsy Reports)

What are the two reports I should expect?

A colonoscopy typically generates two different documents:

The procedure (endoscopy) report: Written by the gastroenterologist, it describes what was seen, any polyps or abnormalities found, whether polyps were removed, and the overall quality of the bowel preparation. This is usually available within a few days of the procedure.

The pathology report: If any tissue was biopsied or a polyp removed, that sample goes to a pathology lab. A pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope and writes a separate report. This can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks to return. These two reports are separate documents and may come from separate sources — the endoscopy center and the pathology lab.

Where do I find my colonoscopy results?

Patient portal (often fastest): Many GI practices and hospital systems post results to an online portal. Log in and look under Test Results, Medical Records, or Visit Documents. Biopsy results may appear in a separate section labeled Pathology. If you do not have portal access, ask the practice to set one up.

Call the GI practice directly: If results are not on a portal, call the gastroenterologist's office — typically a few business days after the procedure for the procedure report, or about one to two weeks later for pathology. Ask specifically for both documents.

Request from medical records: For a formal copy, submit a medical records request to the facility. Under HIPAA, they are required to provide your records, typically within 30 days 1Ref 1U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (2023).Individuals' Right under HIPAA to Access their Health Information 45 CFR § 164.524.Patients have a federal right to access their medical records under HIPAA 45 CFR 164.524; covered entities must respond within 30 days; reasonable fees for copies are permitted but access cannot be denied; scope includes clinical lab test reports and procedure reports. A reasonable fee for copies is permitted, but access cannot be denied 1Ref 1U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (2023).Individuals' Right under HIPAA to Access their Health Information 45 CFR § 164.524.Patients have a federal right to access their medical records under HIPAA 45 CFR 164.524; covered entities must respond within 30 days; reasonable fees for copies are permitted but access cannot be denied; scope includes clinical lab test reports and procedure reports.

Ask your ordering clinician: If your primary care clinician ordered the colonoscopy, results are usually sent to them as well. Your primary care office may have both documents and can review them with you.

What if nobody has called me about my results?

If several weeks have passed and you have not heard anything about your biopsy results, follow up proactively. Results sometimes appear in the portal without a phone call, particularly if they are normal. It is appropriate and encouraged to call and confirm the results have returned and to ask what they showed. You have the legal right to request and receive your own health information under federal law 1Ref 1U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (2023).Individuals' Right under HIPAA to Access their Health Information 45 CFR § 164.524.Patients have a federal right to access their medical records under HIPAA 45 CFR 164.524; covered entities must respond within 30 days; reasonable fees for copies are permitted but access cannot be denied; scope includes clinical lab test reports and procedure reports. You can always ask for a plain-language explanation if the medical terminology is unclear.

What do the terms in my results mean?

Terms like tubular adenoma, hyperplastic polyp, sessile serrated lesion, or dysplasia can be alarming to read without context. Call the practice and ask the clinical team to explain what the finding means and what happens next — particularly what your recommended surveillance interval is (when your next colonoscopy should be). Surveillance intervals are determined by the type and number of polyps found, and follow evidence-based guidelines 2Ref 2Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, Rabeneck L, Sauer BG, Rex DK (2021).ACG Clinical Guidelines: Colorectal Cancer Screening 2021.Post-colonoscopy surveillance intervals based on pathology findings; recommended follow-up timing after adenoma, serrated lesion, or hyperplastic polyp; quality indicators for colonoscopy procedure reporting. This follow-up information is standard and your clinician should provide it.

If your colonoscopy was done as part of screening (rather than because of symptoms), your result may also include a recommendation for your next screening test. For average-risk adults, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends starting colorectal cancer screening at age 45 3Ref 3Davidson KW, Barry MJ, Mangione CM, et al. (US Preventive Services Task Force) (2021).Screening for Colorectal Cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.Colorectal cancer screening recommended starting at age 45 for average-risk adults; colonoscopy as a primary screening modality; importance of following up positive screening tests.