A caregiver providing comfort to a cancer patient

Cancer Diagnosis

From blood tests to imaging studies to biopsies, your doctor will need to conduct certain exams to confirm a cancer diagnosis. Knowing what to expect can help you prepare.
Asian woman diagnosis patient nurse tablet
Stage 3 Cancer: Definition, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prognosis
By Jennifer Welsh
Imaging technologist is working with mammography X-ray scanner in hospital - stock photo
Common Barriers to Recommended Cancer Screenings
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
lab tech doing genetic testing for bBRCA in a cancer patient
Testing for gBRCA in People with Cancer
By Lynne Eldridge, MD
Doctor talking with patient at desk in medical office - stock photo
Cancer Screenings: Which You Might Need
Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD
genomic testing for BRAF mutations in cancer
BRAF Testing: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Flow cytometry, illustration.
Flow Cytometry: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
sarcoma ribbon against carcinoma ribbon colors illustrating differences
Sarcoma vs. Carcinoma: Differences and Similarities
Medically reviewed by Rony Kampalath, MD
Woman consulting with her doctor
How Cancer is Diagnosed
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Technician performing bone marrow transplant
Bone Marrow Biopsy: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Rony Kampalath, MD
Nurse discussing medical chart with patient in waiting room
How Stable Disease Describes Cancer Treatment
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Lymphocytes and cancer cell
Differences Between a Malignant and Benign Tumor
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
family in hospital
Families Predisposed to Cancer: Li-Fraumeni Syndrome
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Pensive Black Businessman Looking Away
When Your Primary Cancer Tumor Cannot Be Found
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
A man sits in a doctor’s office.
Liquid Tumors and How They Develop
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
A distressed mother talking to her daughter
How to Explain Your Cancer Diagnosis to Loved Ones
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
close up of a mole
Neoplasm Types and Factors That Cause Them
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Mature woman with her hair in a wrap looking out the window
Is Cancer Possibly Contagious?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
A patient undergoing a CT scan.
PET Scan: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Rony Kampalath, MD
Sarcoma cells
Heart Cancer: Understanding Cardiac Tumors
Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD
stem cell research
How Multiple Myeloma Is Diagnosed
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD