As an expert in the field of medical diagnostics, I can explain the process of diagnosing cancer. Cancer is typically diagnosed through a multi-step process that involves various medical tests and evaluations. Here's a general outline of how a cancer diagnosis is made:
1.
Symptoms and Risk Factors: The process often begins with the patient or a healthcare provider noticing symptoms or risk factors that could be associated with cancer.
2.
Physical Examination: A doctor will perform a physical examination to check for any abnormalities that might suggest the presence of cancer.
3.
Imaging Tests: If the physical examination or symptoms suggest cancer, the doctor may order imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI, or PET scans to get a detailed look at the suspected area.
4.
Biopsy: If imaging tests or other signs indicate a potential cancerous growth, the next step is usually a biopsy. This involves removing a sample of tissue from the area in question for further examination.
5.
Pathology: The biopsy specimen is then examined under a microscope by a pathologist. They look for the presence of cancer cells and can also perform tests on the cells' proteins, DNA, and RNA to confirm the diagnosis.
6.
Staging: If cancer is diagnosed, further tests may be done to determine the stage of the cancer, which is a measure of how far the cancer has spread.
7.
Treatment Planning: Once the cancer is diagnosed and staged, a treatment plan is developed by a team of healthcare professionals.
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