This topic covers the various diagnostic techniques, including imaging and biopsy, used to diagnose cancer.
Anatomy and physiology: Understanding the structure and function of organs and systems in the body is important in diagnosing and treating cancer.
Medical terminology: Learning the vocabulary used in cancer diagnoses and treatments is critical for understanding medical reports and communicating with healthcare professionals.
Pathology: Understanding the ways in which cancer cells differ from healthy cells and their behavior is important in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Imaging techniques: Various non-invasive imaging techniques including X-rays, CT scans, PET scans, and MRI scans are used in diagnosing cancer by allowing doctors to see inside the body.
Biopsy: A biopsy is a diagnostic procedure that involves removing tissue or cells from a suspicious area and examining them under a microscope to diagnose cancer.
Laboratory tests: Various laboratory tests are used to diagnose and monitor cancer, including blood tests, tumor marker tests, and genetic tests.
Staging cancer: Staging is the process of determining the location and extent of cancer in the body to develop a treatment plan.
Treatment options: Understanding the different treatments available for cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy is important in making informed decisions about treatment.
Patient care: Understanding how to manage the symptoms and side effects of cancer treatments and provide supportive care to patients is an important component of cancer diagnosis and management.
Clinical trials: Clinical trials are studies that test new cancer treatments to determine their safety and effectiveness, and understanding the benefits and risks of participating in clinical trials is important in cancer treatment.
Palliative care: Palliative care is specialized medical care that is focused on providing relief from symptoms and improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses, including cancer.
Ethics and legal considerations: Issues of informed consent, patient privacy, and medical ethics are important considerations in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Biopsy: A procedure in which a small piece of tissue or cells are removed from the affected area for testing.
Imaging tests: A group of tests including CT scan, MRI, X-ray, PET-CT, and ultrasound, which use advanced technology to create detailed images of the inside of the body.
Blood tests: A test that checks for specific markers in the blood that can indicate the presence of cancer.
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: A procedure in which bone marrow is removed from the bone to check for cancer cells.
Endoscopy: A procedure in which a small camera is inserted into the body to examine the affected area and take tissue samples if needed.
Molecular testing: A test that looks at DNA or RNA in the cancer cells to help determine the best treatment options.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy: A procedure in which the lymph nodes closest to the primary tumor are removed and checked for the presence of cancer cells.
Staging tests: A group of tests to determine the extent of cancer and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.
Genetic testing: A test that looks for specific genetic mutations that may contribute to the development of cancer.
Radioisotope scan: A nuclear medicine imaging technique which uses a small amount of radioactive material to study the structure and function of organs and body systems.
Immunohistochemistry: A special staining technique that can be performed on biopsy or surgical samples to identify specific proteins in cancer cells.
Liquid biopsy: A non-invasive diagnostic test that analyses circulating tumor cells (CTCs) or tumor DNA that are shed by the cancer into the bloodstream.
Exploratory laparoscopy: A surgical procedure in which a laparoscope is inserted through a small incision in the abdomen to examine its internal side.