What are diagnostic procedures for cancer?
When symptoms suggest cancer, your physician may request/perform any of the following procedures to help positively diagnose it: • A detailed medical history – family and personal • Thorough physical examination • Pelvic examination of the uterus, vagina, ovaries, bladder, and rectum (women only) • Pap test may be requested at the time of pelvic examination (women only) • Rectal examination of the prostate and rectum (men only) Other diagnostic procedures that may be requested include: • Imaging tests, such as: • X-ray • Computed tomography (CT or CAT scan) – a non-invasive procedure that takes cross-sectional images of the brain or other internal organs to detect any abnormalities that may not show up on an ordinary x-ray. The CT scan may indicate enlarged lymph nodes – a possible sign of a spreading cancer or of an infection. • Radionuclide or nuclear medicine scan – an imaging scan in which a small amount of radioactive substance is injected into the vein. A machine measures levels
