Oncological Diagnosis

What Is Oncological Diagnosis?

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow and multiply uncontrollably. These cells sometimes spread to various parts of the body and sometimes do not. For an oncological diagnosis, the doctor must first suspect cancer. To be able to see a doctor, it is also important for people to monitor changes in their bodies closely. Early signs of cancer include differences in your body’s normal processes, such as changes in daily bodily habits. An unexplained lump is also a common finding. However, these conditions do not always mean that a person has cancer. For this reason, it is important to be diagnosed by a doctor. A diagnosis can also be made during check-up examinations.

Many cancer cells grow slowly, and symptoms may take a long time to appear. However, early diagnosis is an important factor for treatment. Diagnosing cancer accurately can also take time. Tests used for diagnosis may include blood tests, X-rays, computed tomography scans, MRI scans or ultrasound. For a definitive diagnosis, a tissue sample may need to be taken from the area suspected of cancer. This procedure, known as a biopsy, involves taking a tissue sample to be examined in the laboratory for cancer.

Early diagnosis programs aim to reduce the proportion of patients diagnosed late. Early diagnosis can increase survival rates, especially for breast, cervical, oral, laryngeal, bowel and skin cancers. Early diagnosis is important for treatment not only in these cancers but in all types of cancer.

Which Diseases Are Detected by Oncological Diagnosis?

Every type of cancer that develops in the human body can be diagnosed through oncological diagnosis. If you suspect cancer in yourself or someone close to you, do not neglect to apply to a healthcare institution for the necessary check-ups. Some of the most common and frequently diagnosed cancers are:

• Bladder Cancer: The bladder is a small organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine. Bladder cancer is the abnormal growth and uncontrolled division of cells in the bladder. When diagnosed early, the chance of successful treatment is higher.

• Breast Cancer: Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast grow abnormally and form a tumor. Symptoms may include a lump in the breast, nipple discharge and changes in the appearance of the breast. Regular breast screening is especially important for early diagnosis.

• Bowel Cancer: Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, occurs when cells in the wall of the large intestine grow abnormally and form a tumor. It may begin to show itself early with rectal bleeding, bloody stools or changes in bowel habits. Late diagnosis can reduce people’s chances of survival. For this reason, it is important for oncological diagnosis to take place early.

• Kidney Cancer: It is a type of cancer that develops in kidney tissue. It starts small but grows over time and may eventually spread to other parts of the body. The cancer usually develops in the part of the kidney that filters blood. Kidney cancers diagnosed early are usually treatable.

• Lung Cancer: Lung cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when cells in the lungs grow uncontrollably. The cancer may begin to grow first in the lungs or spread to the lungs from a cancer elsewhere in the body. Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and spreads rapidly. Lung cancer is diagnosed with a series of tests and scans. When signs of cancer appear, scans such as X-rays and computed tomography (CT) may be needed to image the lungs.

• Lymphoma: The lymphatic system consists of a network of lymph vessels and lymph nodes in the body. Lymphoma is a cancer that affects the lymphatic system. Although lymphoma is a serious disease, various treatment options are available. It has two subclasses: Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. For a definitive diagnosis, a biopsy sample is taken from the affected lymph node. By examining this sample, a definitive diagnosis can be made.

• Pancreatic Cancer: The pancreas is an organ close to the stomach and the small intestine. This organ is a gland that helps digest food and releases hormones, including insulin, into the bloodstream. Cancer occurs when cells in the pancreas grow uncontrollably. Oncological diagnosis can determine whether people with symptoms have cancer.

• Prostate Cancer: Prostate cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells grow inside the prostate gland, which is part of the male reproductive system. Some prostate cancers spread quickly, but most tend to grow slowly. Symptoms of prostate cancer include urination problems and pain in the lower back, thighs or hips. The risk of prostate cancer may increase in relation to factors such as family history, ethnicity and age. For this reason, regular screening is recommended for early diagnosis.

What Methods Are Used to Diagnose Oncological Diseases?

When you see a doctor because of various symptoms or during a regular check-up, if the doctor suspects cancer, they may request tests such as urine and blood tests, a CT scan, MRI, ultrasound or X-ray. If the suspicion of cancer increases as a result of these tests, a biopsy sample is taken for a definitive oncological diagnosis. The tests and procedures used to diagnose cancer vary depending on the type of cancer, the likelihood of spread and the needs of each patient. Laboratory tests used in cancer diagnosis are intended to detect high or low levels of certain substances in the body. Laboratory test results are used together with the results of other tests, such as biopsies and imaging, to help diagnose a person’s cancer and learn more about it. For healthy people, laboratory results may vary from person to person due to factors such as age, sex, race, medical history and general health. The methods that can be used for oncological diagnosis are:

• Biochemistry: Biochemical tests measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by organs and tissues in the body. These substances include metabolites, electrolytes, fats, sugars and proteins, including enzymes. Biochemical tests provide important information about the health of the kidneys, liver and other organs. High or low levels of certain substances in the blood may be a sign of disease or a side effect of treatment. The number of white blood cells and platelets can also be measured with biochemistry tests. In addition, the amount of hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein) in the blood, the proportion of blood made up of red blood cells (hematocrit), the size of red blood cells and the amount of hemoglobin in the body can be measured.

• Digital Pathology: A biopsy is a procedure that healthcare providers perform to obtain cells, tissues or fluids from a person’s body to examine under a microscope. Samples obtained by biopsy are examined in a pathology laboratory to look for the presence of cancer cells. Biopsies may be taken during an operation or may consist only of a small sample taken without removing tissue. The sample is examined in the laboratory in a way suited to the tissue. If abnormal cell divisions are detected, these results can be used for a definitive diagnosis of cancer. With digital pathology, samples are used in a digital environment to obtain error-free results.

• Nuclear Medicine: The PET/CT scan used in nuclear medicine is a type of nuclear scan that creates detailed 3D images of suspected areas in the body. Cancer cells can usually take up more glucose than normal cells, so a glucose-based contrast agent is given to the body before the nuclear medicine scan. Images obtained with this substance also show structures that may be cancerous. Before the nuclear medicine scan, a substance called radioactive glucose is given to the person by injection. During the scan, the patient must lie still on a table that moves back and forth through the scanner. The results are transferred to a computer and can be examined by the doctor.

• Radiology: The radiology unit uses various imaging methods for oncological diagnosis. These examinations are carried out using devices such as CT scanners and MRI. A CT scan is used to obtain a series of pictures of organs from different angles. The device uses an X-ray machine connected to a computer. The images obtained are used to create detailed 3D images of the inside of the body. Some people may be given a contrast agent before the scan begins. The CT machine moves back and forth around the body to create the images. MRI, on the other hand, uses powerful radio waves to take pictures of the body slice by slice. These slices are combined to create detailed images that can show where tumors may be inside the body. The MRI machine makes rhythmic knocking sounds, but these are not felt by the person. Sometimes a special dye may be injected into a vein before the MRI examination. This dye, called a contrast agent, makes tumors in the body appear brighter in the images.

Oncological diagnosis involves important procedures that affect the cancer treatment process. For this reason, it should be performed by expert doctors using technologically appropriate devices. People who suspect cancer should definitely apply to a healthcare institution as soon as possible. You can also make an appointment with the relevant unit and have your necessary check-ups at our institution.

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