Specifically, this cancer blood test measures a blood sample for the level of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body; white blood cells, which fight infection; and platelets, which help with blood clotting. The test also measures hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, and hematocrit, the ratio of red blood cells to plasma.
A CBC may be used to detect a variety of conditions, including leukemia , anemia and infection. This test is used to diagnose and classify certain cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma, and to evaluate the risk of recurrence. Flow cytometry also may be used as part of the stem cell transplantation process.
Flow cytometry measures the properties of cells in a sample of bone marrow, lymph nodes or blood. The sample is first treated with special antibodies and passed in front of a laser beam. If the antibodies attach to the cells, the cells give off light. The presence of certain substances, or antigens, on the surface of cells may help identify the cell type. Flow cytometry may also be used to measure the amount of DNA in cancer cells.
In this case, the cells are treated with special light-sensitive dyes that react with DNA. For patients with breast, prostate or bladder cancer , an abnormal amount of DNA may indicate a recurrence. A high-risk score means the cancer has a three-in chance of returning. A low-risk result puts the chances at one in Neither result is a guarantee that the malignancy will or will not come back, but the assessment may be used to guide treatment decisions. When used with the Mammaprint assay, Blueprint may narrowly define each tumor into a subtype classification, which also may help guide treatment decisions.
The Oncotype DX lab test is used to determine whether chemotherapy is likely to benefit patients with early-stage breast cancer. It also helps evaluate the likelihood of disease recurrence. This diagnostic test is often performed on a small amount of tissue removed during breast cancer surgery and then examined at a molecular level. The Oncotype DX test provides specific information about the disease, which may help guide treatment decisions.
In most cases, gene expression tests are used for early-stage cancers. The type of test your doctor recommends depends on your specific situation. Both your hormone receptor status and the results of your HER2 testing help determine what type of gene expression test is recommended for you.
The results of the Oncotype DX test may help determine whether you would benefit from chemotherapy. The MammaPrint test can be done regardless of your hormone receptor and HER2 status, in order to determine the likelihood that your cancer will come back. Urinalysis, or urine testing, may be helpful in detecting cancer.
This type of diagnostic testing measures the components of your urine, including:. It can help detect the presence of certain cancers. Testing of cells found in a urine sample is called urine cytology. Bladder cancer is the most evident type of cancer found this way, but kidney , prostate and cervical cancer cells may also be detected through urinalysis.
Additionally, urinalysis is done if multiple myeloma is suspected, to look for myeloma protein in the urine. If this protein is detected, additional urine testing, called urine protein electrophoresis UPEP and urine immunofixation, will likely be conducted. Only in extremely rare circumstances would such a test be considered enough to make a firm diagnosis of cancer.
The best way to use tumor markers in diagnosing cancer hasn't been determined. And the use of some tumor marker tests is controversial. Examples of tumor markers include prostate-specific antigen PSA for prostate cancer, cancer antigen CA for ovarian cancer, calcitonin for medullary thyroid cancer, alpha-fetoprotein AFP for liver cancer and human chorionic gonadotropin HCG for germ cell tumors, such as testicular cancer and ovarian cancer.
Test results must be interpreted carefully because several factors can influence test outcomes, such as variations in your body or even what you eat. In addition, keep in mind that noncancerous conditions can sometimes cause abnormal test results. And, in other cases, cancer may be present even though the blood test results are normal.
Your doctor reviews your test results to determine whether your levels fall within a normal range. Or your doctor may compare your results with those from past tests. Though blood and urine tests can help give your doctor clues, other tests are usually necessary to make the diagnosis.
For most forms of cancer, a biopsy — a procedure to obtain a sample of suspicious cells for testing — is usually necessary to make a definitive diagnosis. In some cases, tumor marker levels are monitored over time.
Your doctor may schedule follow-up testing in a few months. Tumor markers are most often helpful after your cancer diagnosis.
Your doctor may use these tests to determine whether your cancer is responding to treatment or whether your cancer is growing. In most cases, after you complete your cancer treatment, using cancer blood tests isn't helpful for watching for a return of the cancer. Discuss the specifics of your cancer with your doctor. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.
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Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing. American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy. Download this topic [PDF]. Types of biopsies used to look for cancer Types of cytology tests used to look for cancer What happens to biopsy and cytology specimens?
What do doctors look for in biopsy and cytology specimens? Tests used on biopsy and cytology specimens to diagnose cancer Reasons for delays in getting your biopsy and cytology test results How to learn more about your pathology results What information is included in a pathology report?
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