Diagnosing Cancer

There are extensive diagnostic tests available today to detect cancer. The first level of tests are non-invasive, and should these provide indications that cancer is possibly present, more invasive diagnosis such as biopsy and colonoscopies are done.

Cancer Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Cancer mainly based on:

1. Patient history
2. Laboratory tests - blood tests, stools
3. Needle biopsies
4. Diagnostic xrays and scans
5. Surgical biopsies
6. Removal of tumors for pathological examination

Diagnosing cancer includes looking for metastisis. These are secondary cancers that appear in other parts of the body, distant from the primary cancer location. The most common location for secondary cancer is in the long bones, such as the ribs, the spine, the lungs and the liver.

How Cancer Spreads

NEXT: Treatment of Cancer

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