Diagnosis Diagnosis of oral thrush depends on whether the infection is limited to the mouth or has spread to the esophagus. If thrush is limited to the mouth, your healthcare professional may:• Look inside your mouth for white patches or spots.• Take a small scraping from affected areas to examine under a microscope.• Perform a physical exam and possibly order …
Thyroid Cancer
Diagnosis Thyroid cancer is diagnosed through a combination of physical exams, imaging tests, biopsies, and lab studies. Physical examYour healthcare provider examines your neck to feel for changes in the thyroid, such as nodules or lumps. They may ask about risk factors, including past radiation exposure and family history of thyroid cancer. Thyroid function blood testsTests measuring thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) …
Throat Cancer
Diagnosis To diagnose throat cancer, your doctor may recommend several procedures: Using a scope: During an endoscopy, a special lighted scope (endoscope) with a camera is used to examine the throat for abnormalities. Laryngoscopy uses a magnifying laryngoscope to inspect the vocal cords. Tissue sampling: If abnormalities are found, a biopsy may be taken through the scope. Pathologists examine the …
Testicular Cancer
Diagnosis Testicular cancer is often first noticed as lumps, swelling or other changes in the testicles. These may be found during self-exam or during a routine check by a health care provider. To confirm the cause of these symptoms, several diagnostic tests are used. Common tests that help diagnose testicular cancer include: UltrasoundAn ultrasound uses sound waves to create images …
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin
Diagnosis Tests and procedures used to diagnose squamous cell carcinoma of the skin include: Physical exam. A health care professional reviews your medical history and examines your skin for signs of squamous cell carcinoma. Biopsy. A biopsy involves removing a sample of tissue for lab testing. A member of your care team may cut away, shave off or punch out …
Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Diagnosis Tests and procedures used to diagnose soft tissue sarcoma often include imaging and biopsy techniques. Imaging tests create detailed pictures of the inside of the body and help show the size and location of the tumor. Common imaging tests include X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and PET scans. These tests also help determine whether the cancer has spread to …
Skin Cancer
Diagnosis A skin cancer diagnosis typically begins with a thorough skin exam by a healthcare professional. They may remove a small sample of skin to test for cancer. Skin cancer exam Your provider will ask about symptoms and examine your skin for unusual growths or changes. Skin cancer biopsy A biopsy involves removing a small piece of skin for laboratory …
Retinoblastoma
Diagnosis Retinoblastoma diagnosis often begins with an eye exam. Imaging tests can help show the size of the cancer. Eye exam. A healthcare professional closely examines your child’s eyes, which may include checking vision and using a special light to look inside the eye. Young children may have difficulty holding still, so medicine to create a sleep-like state may be …
Rectal Cancer
Diagnosis Rectal cancer diagnosis often begins with a colonoscopy to examine the rectum and colon. During this test, a long, flexible tube with a camera is passed into the rectum. If anything suspicious is seen, a tissue sample may be removed for lab testing. Rectal cancer can also be detected through routine colorectal cancer screening or when symptoms suggest the …
Prostate Cancer
Diagnosis Prostate cancer diagnosis usually begins with an exam and a blood test. These tests may be done as part of prostate cancer screening or if you have symptoms. If initial tests show something concerning, imaging tests can help evaluate the prostate, and a biopsy may be needed to confirm cancer. Screening tests include a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test …









