Timing and next steps

Some results are available right after the procedure, while others take more time.

• Initial findings. Your healthcare professional can usually tell you right after the colonoscopy what was seen during the exam, such as whether the colon looked healthy or if any polyps were removed.
• Pathology results. If tissue or polyps are sent to the laboratory for biopsy, it typically takes about 1 to 2 weeks for the results to come back. The exact timing can vary depending on the laboratory and whether special testing or additional review is needed.
• Follow-up. Your care team contacts you — often by phone, secure message or appointment — to explain the pathology report and discuss when you should return for your next colonoscopy. If the pathology report shows cancer, the next step involves referral to specialty care for staging and treatment planning. Early detection improves outcomes, and colorectal cancer screening can prevent cancer from developing.

Waiting for biopsy results can cause anxiety, but most findings are benign or show only early, treatable changes.