How is cancer diagnosed?
There is one thing that all specialists agree on: the sooner cancer is diagnosed, the more chance you have of curing it. Learn how do experts detect cancer.
There is one thing that all specialists agree on: the sooner cancer is diagnosed, the more chance you have of curing it.
There are some types of cancer, such as skin, mouth, testicular, prostate and rectal cancer, that can be detected through regular self-examination, even before symptoms become serious.
In most cases, cancer is detected and diagnosed after feeling a tumor or when other symptoms have started to develop.
However, in some cases, cancer is accidentally diagnosed as a result of evaluating or treating other another illness.
A cancer diagnosis begins with:
- A doctor consulting the patient’s medical history
- A complete physical exam
- Laboratory studies: blood, urine, stool samples
- Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test: measures the amount of a protein called CEA in the blood. People with some types of cancer have higher levels of this substance
When a tumor is suspected, images are taken in the following ways:
- X-Rays
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan: generates a transverse image slice of the inside of the body, detailing the organs, bones and blood vessels
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH): used to diagnose some types cancer, it maps the genetic material in cells and can detect genetic abnormalities associated with cancer
- Ultrasound
- Fibre optic endoscope: determines the location and size of the cancer.
To confirm the diagnosis of most cancers, a biopsy should be performed, in which a sample of tissue is removed from the suspected tumor and is studied under a microscope to detect cancer cells:
- Lymph node biopsy (used to detect signs of the disease or see if it has spread to another area of the body)
- Bone biopsy (used to detect cancer or other bone diseases)
- Bone marrow biopsy (a sample is taken from inside the bone)
- Needle biopsy (uses a special needle to extract a sample)
- Open biopsy (removes a bone fragment through an opening of the skin)
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Positive diagnosis… What to do?
If the diagnosis is positive, meaning that there is cancer present in the body, other tests will be carried out to acquire more specific information. This follow-up phase is an essential part of the diagnosis, known as staging.
At this point, the most important objective is to identify how much the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. If the initial diagnosis is negative, but symptoms persist, further tests may be required.
Be sure to get an opinion from a specialist (oncologist) before starting any type of treatment. These tests can show whether you have cancer or another illness. If you are still unsure, you could also seek a second opinion from another specialist.
You may feel anxious about the idea of cancer or about going through these procedures. This is a natural reaction, but it is important that you carry out these necessary steps so that you can start suitable treatment as soon as possible.
Did you like this article? Why not share it? Or see the following links for more information on this topic:
Options for cancer treatment
Alternative treatments for treating cancer
Cancer prevention: is it possible?
Living with cancer
Remission: what to do after you’ve fought cancer?