It depends on the hospital, doctor what their policy is, and each state is different too for some tests results available on-line, like blood work. For FNAB, I would get the preliminary right away when the pathologist looked at the sample under the microscope, and told it was cancer, then my doctor had to see or call me, but further studies take another day. After some surgeries, the doctor called me with the preliminary pathology results, but as ChristineB said, the final pathology takes a few days, week. With PET scans I would have to wait for my next dr appointment, usually several weeks later, but I wait two days, and and pick up my own scan reports, CD at the place of testing. They ask if my doctor reviewed it with me, and I just say, yes lol. Waiting is the worst. Good luck.