Diagnosis and Treatment options

Biopsies

Biopsies are the only certain way to identify a malignancy, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). During a biopsy, the doctor removes either a tissue sample from the abnormal area or the entire tumor. A pathologist, a medical doctor who examines tissues and is responsible for the accuracy of laboratory tests, examines the biopsied tissue under a microscope and determines whether it is cancerous. Depending on tumor location, some biopsies can be done on an outpatient basis with only local anesthesia.

The following are the some common types of biopsies:

  • Excisional Biopsy
  • Incisional Biopsy
  • Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Biopsy
  • Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
  • Bone Marrow Biopsy

Factors from all these tests and results of the pathology report along with the doctor's wisdom in treating cancers will determine the exact diagnosis and the recommended treatment plan.