Cancer Diagnostic Testing

If you have symptoms or a screening test result that suggest you might have cancer, your health-care provider will recommend further testing.

This testing may include a physical exam, blood and urine tests, medical imaging tests, biopsies, or other tests or procedures. In many cases, several different types of tests are needed to diagnose cancer.  

At Mount Sinai Hospital, we have many experts in cancer diagnostic testing.

Some diagnostic tests require preparation. It is very important that you understand and follow all the instructions for your specific test. If anything is unclear, do not hesitate to ask your health-care provider.  

For some tests, such as a colonoscopy or a biopsy that requires surgery, you may need to arrange for a support person who can drive you home afterwards. 

Types of diagnostic tests

Laboratory tests

Laboratory tests can check for levels of certain substances in your blood and urine that point to possible cancer.

Imaging tests

Imaging tests are used to see what is going on inside your body. These tests can show if any masses or tumours are present.

Imaging tests can also help physicians determine whether symptoms are caused by cancer or by another condition.

There are several different types of imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and X-rays.  

Colonoscopy

Our Diagnostic Assessment Program (DAP) offers you a streamlined process if you need to have a colonoscopy because you have symptoms of colorectal cancer or a positive screening test.  

Biopsy

If other diagnostic tests show that you may have cancer, biopsy is likely needed to confirm the diagnosis.  

During a biopsy, a physician removes a small amount of tissue so it can be examined under a microscope and analyzed by a pathologist.  

A pathologist is a physician who specializes in interpreting laboratory tests and evaluating cells, tissues, and organs to diagnose disease.

If cancer is diagnosed, the biopsy also provides more information about the specific type of cancer you have. The pathologist describes the findings in a pathology report which is sent to your health-care provider.  

There are several different methods for performing a biopsy, depending on the area of the body.

Needle biopsy

During a needle biopsy, a needle is used to withdraw a small amount of tissue or fluid. This is the most common type of biopsy for examining tissue in the breast, prostate and liver.

Endoscopy

During an endoscopy, a thin tube called an endoscope is used to examine areas inside your body. A physician inserts the endoscope through your mouth or anus and uses it to remove some of the abnormal tissue as well of some of the surrounding normal tissue to send to a pathologist for testing.

Colonoscopy biopsy

A colonoscopy is an exam of the colon and rectum. A physician inserts a thin tube called an endoscope through the anus. The physician will remove any polyps that are visible during the colonoscopy and send them to a pathologist for testing.

Bronchoscopy

A bronchoscopy is an exam of the airway and lungs. During this test, a thin tube called an endoscope is inserted through the mouth or nose and down the throat. A physician removes any abnormal tissue as well of some of the surrounding normal tissue to send to a pathologist for testing.

Surgical biopsy

During a surgical biopsy, a surgeon makes an incision to remove an area of abnormal cells from your body. These cells are then sent to a pathologist for testing.

Staging

If cancer is found, the next step is determining the stage of cancer. Knowing the stage of your cancer helps your care team develop your treatment plan. Physicians determine the stage of your cancer based on the size and location of the tumour, whether cancer cells are in the lymph nodes and whether there are cancer cells in other parts of the body.