Cancer diagnosis begins with a thorough physical examination and a review of the patient’s medical history. If a doctor suspects cancer, they may order a variety of tests to confirm the diagnosis. Common tests used to diagnose cancer include biopsies, imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds, and lab tests.
A biopsy is the most definitive way to diagnose cancer. During a biopsy, a doctor will take a sample of suspicious tissue and examine it under a microscope. This can help determine if the tissue is cancerous or not.
Imaging tests are used to find cancerous tumors and to measure the size and location of any tumors. X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds are the most commonly used imaging tests.
Lab tests are often used to measure the levels of certain substances in the body. For example, a doctor may order a test to measure the levels of a protein called CA-125 in a woman’s blood. High levels of this protein can indicate ovarian cancer.
Once a diagnosis of cancer has been made, the patient will be referred to an oncologist, a doctor who specializes in treating cancer. Depending on the type of cancer, the oncologist may recommend a variety of treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.
Surgery is used to remove tumors and is often the main treatment for many types of cancer. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays or other particles to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Immunotherapy uses drugs to boost the body’s immune system and help it fight cancer. Targeted therapy uses drugs to attack cancer cells specifically.
These treatments can be used alone or in combination. The treatment that is best for each patient will depend on the type and stage of cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health and medical history.
