Cancer

Healthcare providers use tests like mammography, MRI) and CT scans to help them screen for, diagnose, treat, and keep track of cancer. Read on to learn more about them. ...more

Imaging—X-rays, CT scans, MRIs—is a process that makes pictures of body structures and organs. It is used to find tumors and other abnormalities, to determine the extent of disease, and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. ...more

An endoscope is a small, flexible tube with a light and a lens on the end used to look into the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon, or rectum. It can also be used to take tissue from the body for testing or to take color photographs of the inside of the body. ...more

A detailed look at different types of biopsies, and how and why they are done....more

You may need regular blood tests to keep track of how well you and your doctor are managing a condition, such as diabetes or high cholesterol. ...more

If your healthcare provider thinks you may have cancer, you will have a biopsy. Here's what you need to know about surgical biopsy. ...more

A barium swallow is an imaging test that uses X-rays to look at your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Your upper GI tract includes the back of your mouth and throat (pharynx) and your esophagus. ...more

A barium enema is an imaging test that uses X-rays to look at your lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Your lower GI tract includes the large intestine (colon) and rectum. ...more

An upper gastrointestinal (GI) series is an imaging test of your esophagus, stomach, and the first part of your small intestine (duodenum). It is done with X-rays. Learn what to expect before, during, and after this test. ...more

An upper GI endoscopy is a procedure to diagnose and treat problems in your upper GI (gastrointestinal) tract. Read on to learn more about the procedure, including why you might need it, how to get ready for it, and what happens during and after. ...more

Learn details about ERCP, a procedure to diagnose and treat problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas....more

A pancreas scan uses nuclear radiology to search for, and sometime treat, tumors in the pancreas. ...more

A liver scan is an imaging test to look at your liver and see how well it is working. This test may also be called a liver-spleen scan because the healthcare provider often looks at the spleen at the same time. ...more

A liver biopsy is a test used to diagnose liver conditions. Read on to learn more about the procedure. ...more

A chest X-ray is an imaging test that uses X-rays to look at the structures and organs in your chest. It can help your healthcare provider see how well your lungs and heart are working. Certain heart problems can cause changes in your lungs. Certain diseases can cause changes in the structure of the heart or lungs. ...more

A chest ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to look at the structures and organs in your chest. It can help your healthcare provider see how well your lungs and heart are working. ...more

Bronchoscopy is a procedure to look directly at the airways in the lungs through a thin, lighted tube (bronchoscope). ...more

A biopsy is a test done to remove a tissue sample from the body so it can be examined. A lung biopsy is a test to take a small piece of a lung. ...more

Pleural biopsy is a procedure to remove a tissue sample from the membrane that surrounds the lungs called the pleura. ...more

A mediastinoscopy is a procedure used to examine the mediastinum. This is the space behind the breastbone (sternum). Read on to learn more about the procedure, and what to expect. ...more

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a type of nuclear medicine imaging test. It is used to examine various body tissues to identify certain conditions by looking at blood flow, metabolism, and oxygen use. PET scans may also be used to see how well the treatment of certain diseases is working. ...more

Thoracentesis is a procedure to remove fluid or air from around the lungs....more

A bone biopsy is a procedure done to remove tissue or cells from the body to be looked at under a microscope. ...more

A bone marrow biopsy involves removing a small sample of the bone marrow inside your bones for testing. Read on to learn what to expect before, during, and after this procedure. ...more

A bone scan is an imaging test used to look at the skeleton. It is done to find areas of physical and chemical changes in bone. A bone scan may also be used to see if treatment of certain conditions is working. ...more

Computed tomography is an imaging test that uses X-rays and a computer to make detailed images of the body. A CT scan shows details of the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. ...more

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a large magnet, radiofrequencies, and a computer to make detailed pictures of organs and structures within the body. It is used to diagnose health problems. ...more

X-rays use invisible electromagnetic energy beams to make images of internal tissues, bones, and organs. Standard X-rays are done for many reasons, including diagnosing tumors or bone injuries. ...more

This procedure may be used to diagnose back or neck pain, fractures or broken bones, arthritis, degeneration of the disks, tumors, or other problems. ...more

A computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging test that uses X-rays and a computer to make detailed images of the body. A CT scan shows details of the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. ...more

Computed tomography is an imaging test that uses X-rays and a computer to make detailed images of the body. A CT scan shows details of the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than standard X-rays. ...more

A craniotomy is the surgical removal of part of the bone from the skull to expose the brain for surgery. Read on to learn what to expect before, during, and after this procedure. ...more

An EEG is a procedure that detects abnormalities in your brain waves, or in the electrical activity of your brain. ...more

Gamma Knife uses very precise beams of gamma rays to treat an area of disease (lesion) or growth (tumor). It’s most often used in the brain. ...more

A lumbar puncture (LP) or spinal tap may be done to diagnose or treat a condition....more

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a large magnet, radiofrequencies, and a computer to make detailed images of organs and structures within the body, in this case, the brain and spine. MRI is used to help diagnose a health problem. ...more

X-rays use invisible electromagnetic energy beams to make images of internal tissues, bones, and organs on film. Standard X-rays are done for many reasons, including diagnosing tumors or bone injuries. ...more

A breast biopsy is a small piece of breast tissue that is removed and checked in a lab. This is done to see if cancer or other abnormal cells are present....more

Magnetic resonance imaging creates detailed images of the body using large magnets and a computer. For breast MRI, a woman will lie face down with her breasts positioned through holes in a table. ...more

A breast scan is an imaging test to look at your breasts. It is used when a mammogram has not given your health care provider enough information. ...more

Breast ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to look at your breasts. It can help your healthcare provider find breast problems. It also lets your provider see how well blood is flowing to areas in your breasts. This test is often used along with mammography. ...more

A cervical biopsy is a procedure to remove tissue from the cervix to test for abnormal or precancerous conditions, or cervical cancer. ...more

Your healthcare provider uses colposcopy to view the opening to the uterus, called the cervix, and the vagina. Your provider uses an instrument with a magnifying lens and a light, called a colposcope. ...more

Dilation and curettage or D&C is surgery to remove abnormal tissues in the uterus....more

An endometrial biopsy is a procedure to take a small tissue sample from the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium. Read on to learn what to expect before, during, and after this procedure. ...more

CT scan is a type of imaging test. It uses X-rays and computer technology to make images or slices of the body. A CT scan can make detailed pictures of any part of the body. This includes the bones, muscles, fat, organs, and blood vessels. They are more detailed than regular X-rays. ...more

Cryotherapy involves freezing cancer cells and cutting off their blood supply. Read on to learn more about this treatment. ...more

Cystoscopy is a procedure that lets the healthcare provider view the urinary tract, particularly the bladder, the urethra, and the openings to the ureters. Cystoscopy can help find problems with the urinary tract. This may include early signs of cancer, infection, narrowing, blockage, or bleeding. ...more

An intravenous pyelogram is an imaging test used to look at the kidneys and ureters. The ureters are the narrow tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. ...more

A biopsy is done to remove tissue or cells from the body for exam under a microscope. The tissue sample is removed with a needle to check for cancer or other abnormal cells. It also helps check how well the kidney is working. ...more

A kidney scan is an imaging test that looks at your kidneys. Your healthcare provider can also see how well blood is flowing in your kidneys. ...more

A kidney ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to look at your kidneys. It can check the size, shape, and location of your kidneys. It also lets your healthcare provider see how well blood is flowing in your kidneys. ...more

This type of X-ray may be done to check the stomach for causes of stomach pain. It may also be done to check the organs and structures of the urinary or GI system. The X-ray may be the first diagnostic procedure used to check the urinary system. ...more