Diagnosis

If a doctor suspects cancer, diagnostic tests can determine if cancer is present. Once cancer is diagnosed, more testing can pinpoint the type of cancer and how far it has progressed. Special imaging techniques that help doctors see inside the body such as X-rays, CAT Scans, M.R.I.s, ultrasound, and bone scans help doctors detect cancer. Blood and urine tests are other possible tools for diagnosis. If cancer is suspected and a lump, growth, or tumor is detected, a biopsy, in which all or part of the suspected tumor is removed for examination under a microscope, is the only way to make a definite diagnosis of cancer. For more information about cancer diagnosis, contact a healthcare professional.