Last Updated on April 9, 2024 by Partha Protim Choudhury
Early cancer diagnosis frequently offers the best chance of recovery. Studies indicate that screening tests can save lives by identifying certain malignancies at an early stage. Screening tests for various malignancies are advisable only for those who are at a higher risk. In this article, we will look at cancer diagnostic tests other than blood tests, the importance of tumour markers in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and imaging tests, which are necessary to confirm if the diagnosis and treatment are going in the right direction.
How are people diagnosed with cancer?
Cancer diagnosis often requires more specific tests, such as imaging studies, biopsies, or specialised blood tests targeting specific cancer markers. If one suspects cancer on the basis of symptoms or other findings, a healthcare provider typically prescribes further diagnostic tests.
However, it’s essential to understand that routine blood tests are primarily for to assess the overall health and check for conditions such as anaemia, infections, or organ function abnormalities, rather than specific screening for cancer.
What cancers are detected by blood tests?
Blood tests can be useful in a few types of cancer, particularly blood cancers such as Hodgkin lymphoma, leukaemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Regular blood tests cannot detect most malignancies, with the exception of leukaemia.
Tumour markers, on the other hand, are molecules and proteins that can be detectable in the blood in greater amounts than usual when cancer is present. Oncologists specifically test them for this purpose. Increased blood levels of specific proteins or enzymes may indicate the presence of cancer. Additionally, complete blood count (CBC) tests can sometimes reveal abnormalities such as low red blood cell counts, which might prompt further investigation for conditions like leukaemia or lymphoma.
How do tumour markers help in the detection of cancer?
Your body has chemicals called tumour markers that can give information about specific cancer kinds. They may refer to proteins that some cancer cells make in large quantities. DNA patterns or alterations may sometimes be equivalent to tumour markers.
Healthcare professionals can identify and treat some cancers with the use of tumour markers when combined with other testing. A popular illustration is the PSA test, which gauges blood levels of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA). An elevated level of PSA—a protein produced by the prostate gland—may be a sign of prostate cancer. An example is an elevated CA125 to check for ovarian cancer.
Tumour marker tests in combination with other tests help confirm the cancer. They typically require one of the following tests: a blood test, a saliva test, a urinalysis, a stool test, or a biopsy. Imaging tests such as computerised tomography (CT), bone scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), ultrasound, and X-rays are latest tech to diagnose cancer.
Tumour markers can indicate the presence of certain types of cancer, help your provider plan treatment, check whether current cancer treatment is working, predict your chance of recovery, and monitor for the recurrence of certain cancers.
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