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PSA Screening Controversy: FAQ
The expert panel that advises the U.S. on disease prevention recommends against routine PSA screening. What does this mean? Will Medicare still cover PSA tests? Why all the furor? A WebMD FAQ.
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Understanding Cancer -- Diagnosis and Treatment
How Is Cancer Diagnosed?
The earlier cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of its being cured. Some types of cancer -- such as those of the skin, breast, mouth, testicles, prostate, and rectum -- may be detected by routine self-exam or other screening measures before the symptoms become serious. Most cases of cancer are detected and diagnosed after a tumor can be felt or when other symptoms develop. In a few cases, cancer is diagnosed incidentally as a result of evaluating or treating other medical conditions.
Cancer diagnosis begins with a thorough physical exam and a complete medical history. Laboratory studies of blood, urine, and stool can detect abnormalities that may indicate cancer. When a tumor is suspected, imaging tests such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and fiber-optic endoscopy examinations help doctors determine the cancer's location and size. To confirm the cancer diagnosis, a biopsy is performed in which a tissue sample is surgically removed from the suspected tumor and studied under a microscope to check for cancer cells. This is mandatory to diagnose cancer.
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