The examinations for a proper diagnosis
Laboratory tests and anatomical pathology
Numerous laboratory parameters are used for diagnosis of diseases and monitoring treatment and follow-up. Anatomical pathology and cytology, a medical and biological speciality, allows the exact nature of the disease to be determined through microscopic examination of cells or tumor tissues (biopsies, surgical specimens). It is an essential examination that precedes any treatment measures.
Medical imaging
Medical imaging is used:
- to detect a tumor lesion, to characterize the nature of the lesion so the best treatment may be chosen;
– to assess the size and reaction of the tumor during treatment;
– for post-treatment follow-up.
Medical imaging is also used for the preparation of treatment plans, particularly for ballistic accuracy in radiotherapy.
In oncology, imaging uses a set of techniques which are often combined to optimize performance ("multimodality imaging"). The images produced by ultrasound, MRI, or scanner, and also by functional methods such as PET scan, can be compared or merged further to refine the diagnosis.