MedicineNet

Cancer Detection Related Diseases & Conditions

Medical tests and procedures are used to diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions. Our doctors have compiled a list of ailments related to the topic of Cancer Detection that may be used to diagnose or monitor the status of the diseases and conditions listed below.

  • Skin Cancer Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in humans. There are three main types of skin cancer; basal cell carcinoma...learn more »
    In This Article
    Skin Cancer Article
    • Introduction
    • Basal cell carcinoma
    • What is basal cell carcinoma?
    • What are risk factors for developing basal cell carcinoma?
    • What does basal cell carcinoma look like?
    • How is basal cell carcinoma diagnosed?
    • How is basal cell carcinoma treated?
    • How is basal cell carcinoma prevented?
    • Squamous cell carcinoma
    • What is actinic keratosis?
    • What is squamous cell carcinoma?
    • What are risk factors for developing squamous cell carcinoma?
    • Can squamous cell carcinoma of the skin spread (metastasize)?
    • How is squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed?
    • How is squamous cell carcinoma treated?
    • How is squamous cell carcinoma prevented?
    • What about follow-up care for skin cancer?
    • How about vitamin D and cancer?
    • What resources are available to patients with skin cancer?
    • Skin Cancer At A Glance
  • Ovarian Cancer There are many types of ovarian cancer, epithelial carcinoma is the most common. Women with a family history of ovarian cancer...learn more »
    In This Article
    Ovarian Cancer Article
    • Ovarian cancer facts
    • What are the ovaries?
    • What is ovarian cancer?
    • What are risk factors for ovarian cancer?
    • What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?
    • How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?
    • How is staging for ovarian cancer determined?
    • What is the treatment for ovarian cancer?
    • Treatment methods
    • Surgery
    • Chemotherapy
    • Radiation therapy
    • What are the side effects of treatment for ovarian cancer?
    • What follow-up care is necessary?
    • Where can ovarian cancer patients find support?
    • What research is available for ovarian cancer patients?
    • What resources are available to patients with ovarian cancer?
  • Bone Cancer In the U.S., more than 2,000 people are diagnosed with bone cancer every year. There are many types of bone cancer. The most...learn more »
    In This Article
    Bone Cancer Article
    • Bone cancer facts
    • What are bones for?
    • What is cancer?
    • What causes bone cancer?
    • What are bone cancer symptoms and signs?
    • How is bone cancer diagnosed?
    • What is the treatment for bone cancer?
    • What are the side effects of treatment for bone cancer?
    • What does the future hold for patients with bone cancer?
    • Can bone cancer be prevented?
  • Colon Cancer Colon cancer is a malignancy that arises from the inner lining of the colon. Most, if not all, of these cancers develop from...learn more »
    In This Article
    Colon Cancer Article
    • Colon cancer facts
    • What is cancer?
    • What is cancer of the colon and rectum?
    • What are the causes of colon cancer?
    • What are the symptoms of colon cancer?
    • What tests can be done to detect colon cancer?
    • How can colon cancer be prevented?
    • What are the treatments and survival for colon cancer?
    • What is the follow-up care for colon cancer?
    • What does the future hold for patients with colorectal cancer?
  • Breast Cancer Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women in the U.S. Symptoms...learn more »
    In This Article
    Breast Cancer Article
    • Breast cancer facts
    • What is breast cancer?
    • What are the different types of breast cancer?
    • What causes breast cancer?
    • What are breast cancer risk factors?
    • What are breast cancer symptoms and signs?
    • How is breast cancer diagnosed?
    • How is breast cancer staging determined?
    • What is the treatment for breast cancer?
    • What is the prognosis of breast cancer?
    • Can breast cancer be prevented?
    • What research is being done on breast cancer? Should I participate in a clinical trial?
    • I may have breast cancer. What questions should I ask my doctor?
    • What type of breast cancer do I have?
    • Is my family history relevant to my breast cancer diagnosis?
    • What other studies should be done on my tissue biopsy?
    • Should I stop taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?
    • Even though my breast tumor does not have hormone receptors, should I take tamoxifen to reduce the risk of a new tumor?
    • I have a ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a type of localized cancer. Why have I been advised to have a mastectomy when other women with invasive cancer have lumpectomies?
    • Should I start chemotherapy before surgery?
    • If I am advised to have a mastectomy, what are the risks and benefits of immediate breast reconstruction?
    • Should my lymph nodes be removed?
    • What is a sentinel lymph node biopsy, and what are its benefits and risks?
  • Cervical Cancer Cervical cancer is cancer of the entrance to the womb (uterus). Regular pelvic exams and Pap testing can detect precancerous...learn more »
    In This Article
    Cervical Cancer Article
    • Cervical cancer facts
    • What is the cervix?
    • What is cancer?
    • What are the risk factors and causes of cervical cancer?
    • What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
    • How is cervical cancer diagnosed?
    • How is staging of cervical cancer determined?
    • What is the treatment for cervical cancer?
    • What are methods of treatment for cervical cancer?
    • How do I go about getting a second opinion?
    • What follow-up care is involved after cervical cancer treatment?
    • What support, research, and clinical trials information is available for cervical cancer patients?
    • What resources are available to patients with cervical cancer?
  • Bladder Cancer Treatment for bladder cancer depends on the stage of the disease, the grade of the tumor, and the type of bladder cancer. Options...learn more »
    In This Article
    Bladder Cancer Article
    • What is the bladder?
    • What are the layers of the bladder?
    • What is bladder cancer?
    • What is the burden of bladder cancer in the U.S.?
    • What are the types of bladder cancer?
    • What are bladder cancer causes and risk factors?
    • What are bladder cancer symptoms and signs?
    • How is bladder cancer diagnosed?
    • How is bladder cancer staging determined?
    • What is bladder cancer grading?
    • What is transurethral surgery or "TURBT" for bladder cancer?
    • What is the treatment for superficial bladder cancer?
    • What is surveillance for bladder cancer?
    • What is the treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer?
    • What is chemotherapy for bladder cancer?
    • What is the prognosis for bladder cancer?
    • Can bladder cancer be prevented?
    • Where can people find more information on bladder cancer?
    • What research is being done on bladder cancer?
    • Bladder Cancer At A glance
  • Oral Cancer The term oral cancer includes cancer of the mouth (oral cavity) and the back of the mouth (oropharynx). Red and white patches...learn more »
    In This Article
    Oral Cancer Article
    • What is the oral cavity?
    • What is cancer?
    • Who's at risk for oral cancer?
    • What are the symptoms of oral cancer?
    • How is oral cancer diagnosed?
    • How is oral cancer treated?
    • Methods of treatment
    • What are the side effects of treatment for oral cancer?
    • What is rehabilitation for oral cancer?
    • What happens after treatment for oral cancer?
    • What does the future hold for patients with oral cancer?
    • What resources are available to patients with oral cancer?
    • Oral Cancer At A Glance
  • Multiple Myeloma Multiple myeloma is a form of cancer that develops in plasma cells, the white blood cells that make antibodies. Symptoms include...learn more »
    In This Article
    Multiple Myeloma Article
    • What is multiple myeloma?
    • What are multiple myeloma causes and risk factors?
    • What are multiple myeloma symptoms and signs?
    • How is multiple myeloma diagnosed?
    • What are multiple myeloma stages?
    • What is the treatment for multiple myeloma?
    • What are methods of treatment for multiple myeloma?
    • What supportive care can patients with multiple myeloma require?
    • What happens after treatment for multiple myeloma?
    • What support is available for cancer patients?
    • What other resources are available to multiple myeloma patients?
    • Multiple Myeloma At A Glance
  • Hodgkin's Disease Hodgkin's disease is a cancer of the lymphatic system with symptoms that include unexplained, recurring fevers, unexplained...learn more »
    In This Article
    Hodgkin's Disease Article
    • What is Hodgkin's lymphoma?
    • What are Hodgkin's lymphoma causes and risk factors?
    • What are Hodgkin's lymphoma symptoms and signs?
    • How is Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosed?
    • How is the staging determined for Hodgkin's lymphoma?
    • What is the treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma?
    • Chemotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma
    • Radiation therapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma
    • Stem cell transplantation for Hodgkin's lymphoma
    • How do people get a second opinion for Hodgkin's lymphoma?
    • Nutrition during cancer treatment
    • What happens after treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma?
    • What other support is available for cancer patients?
    • Clinical trials for Hodgkin's lymphoma
    • Hodgkin Disease At A Glance
  • Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer is an uncontrolled (malignant) growth of cells in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is the second leading...learn more »
    In This Article
    Prostate Cancer Article
    • What is the prostate gland?
    • What is prostate cancer?
    • Why is prostate cancer important?
    • What are prostate cancer causes?
    • What are prostate cancer symptoms and signs?
    • What are the screening tests for prostate cancer?
    • What are false-positive elevations in the PSA test?
    • What refinements have been made in the PSA test?
    • How is prostate cancer diagnosed?
    • How is the staging of prostate cancer done?
    • What are the treatment options for prostate cancer?
    • What about prostate cancer surgery?
    • What about radiation therapy for prostate cancer?
    • What about hormonal treatment for prostate cancer?
    • What is cryotherapy for prostate cancer?
    • What is HIFU for prostate cancer?
    • What is chemotherapy for prostate cancer?
    • What are the differences between hormonal treatment and chemotherapy?
    • What about herbal or other alternative medicine treatments for prostate cancer?
    • What is active surveillance for prostate cancer?
    • Can prostate cancer be prevented?
    • What will be the future treatments for prostate cancer?
    • Prostate Cancer At A Glance
  • Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system, a vital part of the body's immune system. Symptoms include swollen...learn more »
    In This Article
    Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Article
    • Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma facts
    • What is non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?
    • What causes non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?
    • What are risk factors for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?
    • What are symptoms and signs of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?
    • How is non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosed?
    • What are the types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and how is non-Hodgkin's lymphoma staging determined?
    • What is the treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?
    • What is the prognosis and survival rates of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?
    • Where can people find more information about non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?
  • Cancer Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and...learn more »
    In This Article
    Cancer Article
    • What is cancer?
    • What causes cancer?
    • What are cancer symptoms and signs?
    • What are the different types of cancer?
    • How is cancer diagnosed?
    • How is cancer staging determined?
    • What is the treatment for cancer?
    • What is the prognosis for cancer?
    • Can cancer be prevented?
    • Where can people find more information about cancer?
    • Cancer At A Glance
  • Barrett's Esophagus Barrett's esophagus occurs as a complication of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), primarily in white males. GERD...learn more »
    In This Article
    Barrett's Esophagus Article
    • What is Barrett's esophagus?
    • Why is there so much interest in Barrett's esophagus?
    • What causes Barrett's esophagus?
    • Who develops Barrett's esophagus?
    • What is the specific abnormality in the inner lining (epithelium) of Barrett's esophagus?
    • What about the cancer that occurs in Barrett's esophagus?
    • What is dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus?
    • What is the risk of developing adenocarcinoma of the esophagus in Barrett's?
    • What are the symptoms of Barrett's esophagus?
    • How is GERD with or without Barrett's esophagus treated?
    • Why is it important to screen patients with GERD to diagnose Barrett's esophagus?
    • Why is it critical to be accurate in the diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus?
    • What does endoscopic biopsy surveillance in Barrett's esophagus involve?
    • How is high grade dysplasia managed?
    • How is low grade dysplasia managed?
    • What are the experimental approaches for treatment of high grade dysplasia?
    • What experimental options are there for Barrett's esophagus WITHOUT dysplasia?
    • What does the future hold for Barrett's esophagus?
    • Barrett's Esophagus At A Glance
  • Male Breast Cancer Male breast cancer accounts for 1% of all breast cancers, and most cases are found in men between the ages of 60 and 70. A man's...learn more »
    In This Article
    Male Breast Cancer Article
    • What is male breast cancer?
    • How common is male breast cancer?
    • What are causes and risk factors of male breast cancer?
    • What are the different types of male breast cancer?
    • What are male breast cancer symptoms and signs?
    • How is male breast cancer diagnosed?
    • What is staging of male breast cancer?
    • What is the treatment for male breast cancer?
    • What is the outcome (prognosis) of male breast cancer?
    • Male Breast Cancer At A Glance
  • Testicular Cancer Testicular cancer symptoms include a painless lump or swelling in a testicle, testicle or scrotum pain, a dull ache in the...learn more »
    In This Article
    Testicular Cancer Article
    • What is testicular cancer?
    • What are testicular cancer risk factors and causes?
    • How is testicular cancer detected? What are testicular cancer symptoms and warning signs?
    • How is testicular cancer diagnosed?
    • How is testicular cancer treated? What are the side effects of treatment for testicular cancer?
    • Is follow-up treatment necessary for testicular cancer? What does it involve?
    • Are clinical trials (research studies) available for men with testicular cancer?
    • Testicular Cancer At A Glance
  • Breast The breast generally refers to the chest, however, more specifically, to the mammary gland. The mammary gland is a milk producing...learn more »
    In This Article
    Breast Article
    • What is the breast?
    • How is the mammary gland designed?
    • How are human breasts different from those of other primates?
    • What happens to the breasts in pregnancy?
    • What is the function of the nipples and surrounding pigmented tissue?
    • What are other internal features of the breast?
    • What are cosmetic aspects of the breast?
    • How does breast tissue develop in the fetus?
    • What are the most common medical concerns about the breast?
  • Vaginal Cancer Vaginal cancer is fairly uncommon. There are two types of vaginal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Risk...learn more »
    In This Article
    Vaginal Cancer Article
    • What is vaginal cancer?
    • What are causes and risk factors for vaginal cancer?
    • What are symptoms and signs of vaginal cancer?
    • What tests are used to diagnose vaginal cancer?
    • What is the prognosis for vaginal cancer?
    • How is staging determined for vaginal cancer?
    • What is the treatment for vaginal cancer?
      • Treatment options by stage
      • Treatment options for recurrent vaginal cancer
  • Breast Cancer Prevention Lifestyle changes, a healthy antioxidant-rich diet, exercise, and weight reduction can help reduce a woman's risk of developing...learn more »
    In This Article
    Breast Cancer Prevention Article
    • Introduction to breast cancer prevention
    • What are the biological causes of breast cancer?
    • What are the risk factors for developing breast cancer?
    • What is the importance of early breast cancer detection?
    • What are the advantages and limitations of mammography?
    • How frequently should women undergo mammography and breast examinations?
    • What is the risk of radiation with repeated mammography screening over the years?
    • Are there any controversies in the area of breast cancer screening?
    • How helpful are BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic tests in identifying women at risk?
    • What is the link between estrogen and breast cancer?
    • What are breast cancer prevention treatments?
    • Are there other breast cancer prevention measures?
    • Conclusion
  • Cancer Fatigue Cancer fatigue is a lack of energy that is caused by cancer or cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation, biological...learn more »
    In This Article
    Cancer Fatigue Article
    • Introduction to cancer fatigue
    • What causes cancer-related fatigue?
    • What other factors contribute to fatigue?
    • What can I do to combat fatigue?
    • How does nutrition impact energy level?
    • How does exercise impact energy level?
    • How can I manage my stress?
    • When should I call my doctor?