Cancer Diagnosis
Summary
Cancer diagnosis is a stepwise process combining clinical assessment, laboratory testing, imaging and pathological examination to confirm a malignancy, determine its type and gauge its extent. It begins with a detailed history and physical examination to identify risk factors and warning signs—such as unexplained bleeding or weight loss—and is followed by basic blood tests to rule out non-neoplastic causes. Cross-sectional imaging (CT, MRI, ultrasound) locates suspicious masses, while functional imaging (PET) assesses metabolic activity. Definitive diagnosis rests on microscopic analysis of tissue or cells obtained by biopsy or fine-needle aspiration, where morphology and immunohistochemical markers distinguish among tumour types. Molecular assays on biopsy material or circulating nucleic acids increasingly refine the diagnosis, reveal prognostic information and identify therapeutic targets. Integrating these data yields an anatomical stage (TNM system) and a tumour grade, both of which guide treatment planning and inform prognosis.
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Cancer Diagnosis publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in cancer diagnosis across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Biomarker: A measurable substance in blood or tissue indicating normal or pathogenic processes or therapeutic responses.
Sensitivity: The proportion of true positives correctly identified by a test.
Specificity: The proportion of true negatives correctly excluded by a test.
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP): A foetal glycoprotein elevated in many cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, used for surveillance and diagnosis.
PIVKA-II: An abnormal prothrombin isoform associated with HCC, serving as a complementary serum marker to AFP.
Monocyte distribution width (MDW): A haematological parameter reflecting variation in monocyte volumes, indicative of systemic inflammation and malignancy.
TNM staging: A system classifying tumours by size/extent (T), nodal involvement (N) and distant metastases (M) to guide prognosis and treatment.
Immunohistochemistry: A technique using labelled antibodies to detect specific antigens in tissue sections, crucial for tumour classification.
References
- Strategies of Early Diagnosis of Cancers.
- Monocyte distribution width as a promising biomarker for differential diagnosis of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Frontiers in Immunology (2024).
- The threshold of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE (2020).
- PIVKA-II serves as a potential biomarker that complements AFP for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. BMC Cancer (2021).
About these summaries
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