Editing Cancer (section)

== Diagnosis ==
{{Refimprove-section|date=January 2025}}[[File:Thorax pa peripheres Bronchialcarcinom li OF markiert.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Chest [[Projectional radiography|X-ray]] showing lung cancer in the left lung]]

Most cancers are initially recognized either because of the appearance of signs or symptoms or through [[cancer screening|screening]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cancer Screening Guidelines {{!}} Detecting Cancer Early |url=https://www.cancer.org/healthy/find-cancer-early/american-cancer-society-guidelines-for-the-early-detection-of-cancer.html |access-date=24 May 2022 |publisher=American Cancer Society|date=14 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Neither of these leads to a definitive diagnosis, which requires the examination of a tissue sample by a [[anatomical pathology|pathologist]].<ref name="HollandFrei6">{{cite book | chapter=Role of the Surgical Pathologist in the Diagnosis and Management of the Cancer Patient | vauthors = Connolly JL, Schnitt SJ, Wang HH, Longtine JA, Dvorak A, Dvorak HF |author6-link=Harold F. Dvorak | veditors =  Holland JF, Frei E, Kufe DW |editor1-link=James F. Holland |editor2-link=Emil Frei |title=Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine |edition=6 |location=Hamilton (ON) |publisher=BC Decker |year=2003 |isbn=978-1-55009-213-4 |chapter-url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK13237/ |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK12354/}}</ref> People with suspected cancer are investigated with [[medical test]]s. These commonly include [[blood test]]s, [[Projectional radiography|X-rays]], ([[contrast CT|contrast]]) [[CT scan]]s and [[endoscopy]].

The tissue [[medical diagnosis|diagnosis]] from the biopsy indicates the type of cell that is proliferating, its [[histological grade]], genetic abnormalities and other features. Together, this information is useful to evaluate the [[prognosis]] and to choose the best treatment.

[[Cytogenetics]] and [[immunohistochemistry]] are other types of tissue tests. These tests provide information about molecular changes (such as [[mutation]]s, [[fusion gene]]s and numerical [[chromosome]] changes) and may thus also indicate the prognosis and best treatment.

Cancer diagnosis can cause psychological distress and psychosocial interventions, such as talking therapy, may help people with this.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Galway K, Black A, Cantwell M, Cardwell CR, Mills M, Donnelly M | title = Psychosocial interventions to improve quality of life and emotional wellbeing for recently diagnosed cancer patients | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 11 | pages = CD007064 | date = November 2012 | issue = 11 | pmid = 23152241 | pmc = 6457819 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.cd007064.pub2 }}</ref>  Some people choose to disclose the diagnosis widely; others prefer to keep the information private, especially shortly after the diagnosis, or to disclose it only partially or to selected people.<ref>{{Cite journal | vauthors = Pearson C |date=10 January 2024 |title=Why Some People Keep Serious Illnesses Private |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/10/well/family/hidden-cancer-lloyd-austin.html |journal=The New York Times}}</ref>