Diagnosed With Breast Cancer: Tests You May Need

After my tumor had been imaged, removed, frozen, sliced, graded, and staged, I thought, 'Well! Now surely we've got all the information needed, and we can get on with treatment.' Not so fast -- more tests were yet to come before I could jump into treatment. Other tests were done during and after treatment, and still more during my five-year follow-up exams. You may not need all of these tests, but it's important to understand why additional tests may be ordered in case you do.

• Bloodwork: A Complete blood count (CBC) will be done to measure your red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC) and platelets. A liver function test might be needed to see how well your liver is working.
• Chemosensitivity testing: This kind of test may determine whether your cancer will resist, or succumb, to particular drugs. Having the results of this test might help you customize your treatment plan.
• Genetic assay tests: A sample of your tumor tissue may be tested for genetic expression, and the resulting score predicts your risk of recurrence before treatment. Your score will be factored into your treatment decisions.
• MUGA Scan: If you will have an anthracycline chemotherapy drug, you'll need to have your heart tested to see how well it pumps blood.
• Echocardiogram: This test is another way to determine how efficiently your heart can pump blood throughout your body.

• Blood Counts: CBCs are done throughout treatment and follow-up to check for anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, among other conditions.
• Tumor Marker Tests: These tests will track how well your treatment is working, or will monitor the status of your cancer. After you complete treatment, tumor markers may be done to monitor for recurrence.
• Chest X-ray: Your chest may be imaged to check lung capacity, or to see if cancer has spread to your lungs. If you develop any breathing problems, a chest x-ray will be needed to determine the cause.
• CAT or CT Scan: If your doctor needs an image of a slice or a three-dimensional picture of your internal architecture, you'll need a CAT scan. This may be used to check for metastasis (spreading of the cancer) or after treatment, to make sure no cancer remains.
• MRI: Breast MRI can image both breasts simultaneously. It works well with dense breast tissue and can image invasive breast cancer as well as metastasis.
• Bone Density Scan: Because chemotherapy can cause bone thinning and put you at increased risk for fracture, you may need a bone density scan.

Next Steps in Your Journey:

• Treatment Impacts Fertility
• Dealing With Doctors
• Choosing Your Surgery
• Discussing Treatment Plans