Diagnosis of cancer

Laboratory diagnostics in oncology

The results of general clinical tests (general blood test, urine test, biochemical blood test) are not specific in the diagnosis of cancer, however, here you can identify indirect signs of a malignant tumor in the body:

• Anemia with bleeding tumors, most often of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT);
• Shift of the leukocyte formula for tumors of the blood system;
• Accelerated ESR for most malignant neoplasms;
• The presence of a large number of red blood cells in the urine (macrohematuria) with bladder tumors;
• An increase in bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, AlAT, AsAT and other indicators in liver damage (primary tumors or metaztases).

Of course, it is not possible to determine the presence of a tumor using only shifts in such analyzes, however, in combination with other studies, these results are of great value. Also, general clinical tests are performed before any treatment is started to assess the general condition of the patient and his compensatory capabilities.

Radiation Diagnostics in Oncology

In the diagnosis of malignant neoplasms, radiation research methods play a very important role, which is associated with the availability of these methods and the absence of the need for invasive intervention. Such advantages of radiation diagnostics put it in the forefront in detecting malignant tumors or similar formations. Clarifying the nature of the tumor found is the task of more complex studies.

Radiation diagnostics include:

• Ultrasound - a method for the study of tumors of soft tissues, lymph nodes, mammary gland, abdominal cavity (liver, pancreas, spleen), retroperitoneal space, urogenital system;
• X-ray examination - detection of tumors of the lungs, mediastinum, bones, hollow organs (gastrointestinal tract and urinary system with contrast), breast (mammography)
• Computed tomography (CT) is an advanced x-ray method of research that allows you to identify small tumors, more accurately examine the location of the tumor, its relationship with surrounding organs, evaluate the possibility of surgical treatment;
• Magnetic resonance imaging - the principle of the method is similar to CT, only a magnetic field is used instead of X-rays, which not only eliminates radiation exposure, but further increases the diagnostic value of the method. Allows you to accurately determine the anatomical features of tumors. Especially relevant for neoplasms of the nervous system, muscles, joints, soft tissues, parenchymal organs.

All these methods have various variations of performance, can be combined with each other, supplemented by other studies, which significantly increases their information content.

Get diagnosed

The role of endoscopic research in oncology

The main advantage of endoscopic research methods is direct imaging of the tumor with the possibility of biopsy (taking a fragment of the tumor for subsequent morphological examination). In oncology are carried out:

• FEGDS - a study of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum;
• Colonoscopy - a study of the rectum, sigmoid, colon and cecum;
• Enteroscopy - a study of the small intestine;
• Capsular endoscopy - a study of the gastrointestinal tract throughout its entirety;
• Bronchoscopy - a study of the respiratory tract;
• Cystoscopy - a study of the bladder and urinary tract;
• Hysteroscopy is a study of the uterine cavity.

Endoscopic diagnostic methods include such surgical interventions as laparoscopy and thoracoscopy. In the first case, the optical system is inserted into the abdominal cavity, and in the second, into the pleural cavity in order to examine the internal organs, search for tumors, metastases and assess the possibility of radical surgery.

Morphological diagnosis

The cornerstone in the diagnosis of malignant neoplasms is the morphological method. The essence of the study is to study under the microscope that fragment of the tumor that was taken during the biopsy. This method allows even before the operation to determine the type of tumor, its distribution, nature and degree of malignancy, which has a huge impact on the choice of treatment tactics (volume of operation, the need for radiation or chemotherapy).