Diagnosis and Staging of ovarian cancer
-If patient has any symptom that suggests ovarian cancer, doctor must find out whether it is due to cancer or to some other cause.
-Doctor may ask about personal and family medical history of patient.
-Doctor may conduct the following tests:
-Physical exam
-Pelvic exam
-Blood tests
-Ultrasound
-Biopsy
-Doctor checks general signs of health.
-Doctor may press on abdomen to check for tumors or an abnormal buildup of fluid (ascites).
-A sample of fluid can be taken to look for ovarian cancer cells.
Pelvic exam
-An exam of the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and rectum.
-The doctor inserts one or two lubricated, gloved fingers of one hand into the vagina and the other hand is placed over the lower abdomen to feel the size, shape and position of the uterus and ovaries.
-A speculum is also inserted into the vagina and the doctor looks at the vagina and cervix for signs of disease.
Blood tests
-The lab may check the level of several substances, including CA-125.
-CA-125 is a substance found on the surface of ovarian cancer cells and on some normal tissues.
-A high CA-125 level could be a sign of cancer or other conditions.
-The CA-125 test is not used alone to diagnose ovarian cancer.
Ultrasound
-The ultrasound device uses sound waves that people cannot hear.
-The device aims sound waves at organs inside the pelvis.
-The waves bounce off the organs.
-A computer creates a picture from the echoes.
-The picture may show an ovarian tumor.
-For a better view of the ovaries, the device may be inserted into the vagina (transvaginal ultrasound).
Biopsy
-A biopsy is the removal of tissue or fluid to look for cancer cells.
-Based on the results of the blood tests and ultrasound, doctor may suggest surgery (laparotomy) to remove tissue and fluid from the pelvis and abdomen.
-Surgery is usually needed to diagnose ovarian cancer.
-Although most women have a laparotomy for diagnosis, some women have a procedure known as laparoscopy.
-The doctor inserts a thin, lighted tube (a laparoscope) through a small incision in the abdomen.
-Laparoscopy may be used to remove a small, benign cyst or an early ovarian cancer. It may also be used to learn whether cancer has spread.
-A pathologist uses a microscope to look for cancer cells in the tissue or fluid.
-If ovarian cancer cells are found, the pathologist describes the grade of the cells. Grades 1, 2, and 3 describe how abnormal the cancer cells look.
-Grade 1 cancer cells are not as likely as to grow and spread as Grade 3 cells
Staging
-To plan the best treatment, doctor needs to know the grade of the tumor and the extent (stage) of the disease.
-The stage is based on whether the tumor has invaded nearby tissues, whether the cancer has spread, and if so, to what parts of the body.
-Usually, surgery is needed before staging can be completed. The surgeon takes many samples of tissue from the pelvis and abdomen to look for cancer.
Doctor may order following tests to find out whether the cancer has spread:
-CT scan
-Doctors often use CT scans to make pictures of organs and tissues in the pelvis or abdomen.
-An x-ray machine linked to a computer takes several pictures.
Chest x-ray
- X-rays of the chest can show tumors or fluid.
Barium enema x-ray
-A procedure in which a liquid that contains barium sulfate is put through the anus into the rectum and colon.
-Barium sulfate is a silver-white metallic compound that helps show pictures of the colon, rectum, and anus on an x-ray.
Colonoscopy
-Doctor inserts a long, lighted tube into the rectum and colon.
This exam can help tell if cancer has spread to the colon or rectum.
Staging
Stage I
-Cancer cells are found in one or both ovaries.
-Cancer cells may be found on the surface of the ovaries or in fluid collected from the abdomen.
Stage II
Cancer cells have spread from one or both ovaries to other tissues in the pelvis.
-Cancer cells are found on the fallopian tubes, the uterus, or other tissues in the pelvis.
-Cancer cells may be found in fluid collected from the abdomen.
Stage III
-Cancer cells have spread to tissues outside the pelvis or to the regional lymph nodes.
-Cancer cells may be found the outside the liver.
Stage IV
-Cancer cells have spread to tissues outside the abdomen and pelvis.
-Cancer cells may be found inside the liver, in the lungs, or in other organs.
Diagnosis of Paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity
cancer
The following tests and procedures may be used to diagnose paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity cancer
Physical exam and history
-X-rays of the head and neck
-MRI
-Nasoscopy
-Laryngoscopy
-Biopsy
Diagnosis of salivary gland cancer
The following tests and procedures may be used to diagnose salivary gland cancer
Physical exam and history
-MRI
-CT scan
-PET scan
-Ultrasound exam
-Endoscopy
-Biopsy
Head and neck cancer staging
-Head and neck cancer staging involves both the size of the tumor and whether or not it has spread to other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes.
-Staging helps doctor to determine whether or not to try a particular treatment.
-Stages of head and neck cancer start at 0 and go up to 4 (I–IV)
-Generally, a lower number means the cancer has spread less. A higher number means the cancer has spread more.
www.magnahealthsolutions.com