General medical words
What Does Prognosis Mean on a Medical Report?
Prognosis · say it: prog-NOH-sisAlso written: outlook, expected course
Short answer
Prognosis is a doctor's view of how a condition is likely to develop over time, including the chance of recovery.
What it means
Prognosis describes the likely course and outcome of an illness. It is based on what is known about the condition in general, combined with details about the individual person, such as their age, other health conditions and how they respond to treatment.
On a letter or report, doctors may describe prognosis in words such as "good", "fair" or "guarded". Some pathology reports list "prognostic factors", which are features that help predict the course, such as the grade and stage of a cancer. The writer is sharing their best estimate so that you and other doctors can plan care.
Prognosis is often confused with diagnosis. A diagnosis names what the condition is; a prognosis is about what is likely to happen next. A prognosis is an estimate, not a certainty, and it can change as treatment goes on and more is known.
Where you may see it
- Specialist letters and oncology clinic notes
- Pathology reports, in a section on prognostic factors
- Discharge summaries after a hospital stay
- Insurance, disability or work forms that ask a doctor for the expected outlook
📄 How it looks on a report
Prognosis is good with appropriate management.
🙅 What it does not mean
- A prognosis is not a prediction of exactly what will happen to you. It is drawn from what happens to many people with a similar condition, and each person's course can differ.
- It is not fixed. It can change over time, for better or worse, as treatment works and more information comes in.
- "Guarded" does not mean hopeless. It means the doctor is not yet sure how things will go and is being careful not to promise too much.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
🧾 Reports where you will see “Prognosis”
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🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Prognosis” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “prognosis”
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General information about a medical word, not advice about your own results. Ask the clinician who ordered the test what it means for you.