Methods of diagnosing cancer have improved dramatically in the past few years. With the rapid progress of technology we now have new, more advanced methods of detecting cancer in the early stages. The methods used in the diagnosis and detection of cancer are determined largely by the location and type of cancer suspected. Common methods of diagnosing cancer are described below.
Biopsy
A biopsy involves surgically removing a small section of suspected cancerous tissue. A pathologist then examines it under a microscope for abnormal cells. The extent of the operation depends on individual circumstances and varies with the type of cancer and area of the body affected. X-Ray guided needle biopsies are simple and effective and can be done under a local anaesthetic. For a liver biopsy, a small needle is inserted into the liver through a numbed area of the skin.
Blood Test
Blood tumour marker tests are only used for certain types of cancer. The most common being colon or rectal cancer (tumour marker CEA – carcinoembryonic antigen), prostate (PSA – prostate specific antigen), ovarian cancer (CA 125 and CASA), multiple myeloma (paraprotein), testicular cancer (HCG and/or AFP hormones), germ cell carcinoma (alpha-beta proteins) and choriocarcinoma (HCG and/or AFP). None of these blood tests are specific, as many of these substances are normally present in the blood in small amounts anyway. For instance, a woman menstruating will show higher than normal levels of CA125, as will conditions such as endometriosis and inflammation.
Endoscopy
Endoscopy involves using an internal telescope instrument to view internal organs. A specialist can insert a tube through the mouth into the gullet (oesophagoscopy) and/or stomach (gastroscopy) or through the back passage or anus into the lower bowel (colonoscopy). You are able to watch this on the screen with the doctor and it is also possible to take a biopsy with this equipment.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
This is one of the newest methods. It works by making use of the fact that different molecules produce different patterns of magnetism, which can be recorded on sensitive equipment. MRI scanning is relatively harmless and revolutionary.
Nuclear Scanning and PET Scans
The doctor injects a radioactive ‘tracer’ substance and after a waiting period, special equipment scans the organ to pick up radioactive emissions. This must be analyzed carefully, as other conditions can give a similar appearance.
PET scan technology has been available for many years. However, since the year 2000 it has become more available. It helps to evaluate in the staging and response to medical treatments in lung cancer, solitary pulmonary nodules, colon cancer, oesophageal cancer, malignant melanoma, head and neck cancer and lymphomas. It involves using a combination of bone scanning and CT Scanning at the same time. You are given a radioactive material that is absorbed and then metabolized at the specific tumour sites. A camera then takes images of the entire body to detect the size and location of the tumour.
Pap smear
A pap smear involves the doctor inserting a small instrument into the vagina and taking a small scraping of cells from the wall of the cervix. A pathologist then examines the cells under a microscope for abnormal cells. This is used to detect cancer of the cervix and other abnormalities.
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Tags: Cancer