How do you determine the difference between your diagnosis and your prognosis?

Answer by  katmandu (190)

A diagnosis is the determination of what disease/syndrome you have. A prognosis is what the outcome of that disease will be and what you may expect in the future.

Answer by  John (9008)

A diagnosis is simply the name of the condition. "Breast Cancer" is an example of a diagnosis, although yours is likely to be more detailed. A prognosis is what is expected to happen. "Full recovery" or "six months to live" are examples of prognosises. Keep in mind that no prognosis is definite, but it just represents the doctor's best guess.