Your doctor or nurse practitioner will have you undergo specific tests to check for any signs of cancer depending on your individual diagnosis and treatment plan. These tests may be performed at every doctor visit or less frequently. Be sure to ask your doctor for the specifics of your follow-up care plan.
Follow-up Assessments
Physical Exam
An examination of various parts of the body to identify any abnormalities or general signs of disease.
Laboratory Tests
Laboratory tests involve testing a sample of blood, urine, or other body fluids to learn or confirm what is happening in the body. The most common lab tests include tumor markers, blood chemistries, and a complete blood count.
X-ray
In low doses, x-rays are used to diagnose diseases by making pictures of the inside of the body.3
Computerized Tomography (CT)
A procedure that uses special x-ray equipment to obtain cross-sectional pictures of the body, including detailed images of organs, bones, and other tissues. The CT scan can detect or confirm the presence of a tumor.4
Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)
A special type of computed tomography (CT) scan in which a small amount of a radioactive drug is injected into a vein, and a scanner is used to make detailed images of areas inside the body where the radioactive material is taken up by the cells. SPECT can give information about blood flow to tissues and chemical reactions in the body.5
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
A procedure in which a small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein, and a scanner is used to make detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body where the glucose is used. Because cancer cells often use more glucose than normal cells, the pictures can be used to find cancer cells in the body.6
Positron Emission Tomography/Computerized Tomography (PET/CT)
Combination PET/CT shows both the location and the metabolic signal of actively growing cancer cells if a tumor should arise. If the PET/CT study indicates a recurrence, your doctor may order a separate CT study for precise information about the location of the tumor.7
Ultrasound
A procedure in which high-energy sound waves are bounced off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echo patterns are shown on the screen of an ultrasound machine, forming a picture of body tissues called a sonogram. Ultrasound is helpful in diagnosing cancer found in the soft tissue.8
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures can show the difference between healthy and diseased tissue. MRI makes better images of organs and soft tissue than other scanning techniques, such as CTs or x-rays. MRI is especially useful for imaging the brain, spine, the soft tissue of joints, and the inside of bones.9
Resource
3National Cancer Institute. Dictionary of Cancer Terms. X-ray. Retrieved June 12, 2006, from the World Wide Web: www.cancer.gov.
4National Cancer Institute. Dictionary of Cancer Terms. Computerized tomography. Retrieved June 12, 2006, from the World Wide Web: www.cancer.gov.
5National Cancer Institute. Dictionary of Cancer Terms. Single photon emission computed tomography. Retrieved June 12, 2006, from the World Wide Web: www.cancer.gov.
6National Cancer Institute. Dictionary of Cancer Terms. Positron emission tomography. Retrieved June 12, 2006, from the World Wide Web: www.cancer.gov.
7Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute. Cancer Information. (August 13, 2004). Diagnosis. Retrieved June 12, 2006, from the World Wide Web: www.MSKCC.org.
8Mayo Clinic. Cancer. (June 14, 2006). Diagnosing cancer: Common tests, biopsies and examinations. Retrieved June 14, 2006, from the World Wide Web: www.mayoclinic.com.
9National Cancer Institute. Dictionary of Cancer Terms. Magnetic resonance imaging. Retrieved June 12, 2006, from the World Wide Web: www.cancer.gov.
