Various Types of Tests Available for the Detection of Different Types of Cancer
Numerous tests are available for the identification, diagnosis, and staging of various cancer types. These tests fall under several general categories, including genetic/molecular tests, imaging tests, diagnostic tests, laboratory tests, biopsy procedures, and screening tests.
1. Screening Tests (Early Detection)
These are used to identify cancer early in asymptomatic individuals:
- Mammogram – Breast cancer
- Pap smear & HPV test – Cervical cancer
- Colonoscopy, Sigmoidoscopy, Fecal tests – Colorectal cancer
- Low-dose CT scan – Lung cancer (for high-risk smokers)
- PSA test (Prostate-Specific Antigen) – Prostate cancer
- CA-125 blood test + Transvaginal Ultrasound – Ovarian cancer (for high-risk individuals)
- Skin checks / Dermoscopy – Skin cancer / Melanoma
- Oral visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) – Oral cancer (in low-resource settings)
2. Blood and Laboratory Tests
These identify aberrant blood parameters or tumor markers:
- Tumor Markers:
- CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen) – Colon, breast, pancreatic cancers
- CA-125 – Ovarian cancer
- CA 19-9 – Pancreatic cancer
- AFP (Alpha-Fetoprotein) – Liver cancer, germ cell tumors
- PSA – Prostate cancer
- hCG – Germ cell tumors
- LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase) – Lymphoma, germ cell tumors
- Thyroglobulin / Calcitonin – Thyroid cancers
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) – May indicate leukemia, lymphoma
- Peripheral blood smear – Leukemia, lymphoma
- Urinalysis & Urine cytology – Bladder, kidney cancer
3. Imaging Tests
For the detection, diagnosis, and staging of cancer:
- X-ray (Chest X-ray) – Lung or bone cancer
- Ultrasound – Breast, abdomen, pelvic tumors
- CT scan (Computed Tomography) – Most solid organ cancers
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) – Brain, spinal cord, breast, prostate
- PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography) – Detection of active cancer cells
- Bone Scan – Bone metastasis
- Mammography – Breast cancer
4. Biopsy Tests
Removal of tissue/cells for histopathology:
- Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC)
- Core needle biopsy
- Excisional/Incisional biopsy
- Endoscopic biopsy (via bronchoscopy, colonoscopy, etc.)
- Stereotactic biopsy (image-guided)
- Bone marrow biopsy – Leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma
5. Genetic and Molecular Tests
Used for targeted therapy and personalized medicine:
- BRCA1/BRCA2 gene testing – Breast & ovarian cancer
- EGFR, ALK, KRAS, BRAF mutations – Lung, colorectal, melanoma
- HER2/neu amplification – Breast, gastric cancer
- Next-generation sequencing (NGS)
- PD-L1 expression – Immunotherapy eligibility
- Microsatellite Instability (MSI) / Mismatch Repair (MMR) – Colorectal, endometrial cancers
6. Specialized Endoscopic & Visual Exams
- Colonoscopy / Sigmoidoscopy – Colon and rectal cancer
- Bronchoscopy – Lung cancer
- Cystoscopy – Bladder cancer
- Laryngoscopy – Laryngeal/throat cancer
- Nasopharyngoscopy – Nasopharyngeal cancer
