© 2005-2012 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). All
rights reserved worldwide. Doctors use many tests to diagnose
cancer and find out if it has metastasized (spread). Some tests
may also determine which treatments may be the most effective.
For most types of cancer, a biopsy is the only way to make a
definitive diagnosis of cancer. A biopsy is the removal of a
small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope. The
sample removed from the biopsy is analyzed by a pathologist (a
doctor who specializes in interpreting laboratory tests and
evaluating cells, tissues, and organs to diagnose disease). If a
biopsy is not possible, the doctor may suggest other tests that
will help make a diagnosis. Imaging tests may be used to find
out whether the cancer has metastasized. Your doctor may
consider these factors when choosing a diagnostic test: - Age
and medical condition - Type of cancer suspected - Severity of
symptoms - Previous test results Because basal cell and squamous
cell cancers rarely spread,