From the Research
Introduction to Initial Cancer Workup
The initial workup for suspected cancer involves a comprehensive evaluation to confirm the presence of cancer and determine its type and stage. This process is crucial for guiding treatment decisions and improving patient outcomes.
Components of Initial Evaluation
The initial evaluation of a patient with suspected cancer includes:
- Medical history and physical examination
- Laboratory tests, such as complete blood counts and blood chemistry tests
- Imaging studies, such as chest radiographs, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
- Biopsy or needle aspiration to obtain tissue for histological examination [ 1 ]
Diagnostic Techniques
Various diagnostic techniques are used to evaluate patients with suspected cancer, including:
- Endoscopic ultrasonography with fine needle aspiration (EUS/FNA)
- Image-guided percutaneous biopsy (IGPB)
- Liquid biopsy, which involves analyzing circulating tumor DNA in plasma [ 2, 3 ]
Predictors of Cancer Diagnosis
Certain factors can increase the likelihood of a cancer diagnosis, including:
- Age of 50 years or older
- Jaundice
- Weight loss
- Abnormally high percentage of monocytes
- Thrombocytosis [ 2 ]
Lung Cancer Diagnosis
The diagnosis of lung cancer typically involves:
- Chest radiograph
- CT scan
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
- Biopsy or needle aspiration
- Molecular profiling, which may include plasma circulating-tumor DNA testing [ 3, 4, 5 ]
Treatment Initiation
The goal of the initial workup is to rapidly initiate treatment for patients with confirmed cancer. The use of liquid biopsy and other diagnostic techniques can help accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, particularly in patients with suspected advanced lung cancer [ 3 ]
Caveats and Considerations
It is essential to consider the patient's overall clinical status, medical history, and comorbidities when evaluating and treating suspected cancer. A multidisciplinary approach, involving primary care physicians, specialists, and other healthcare professionals, is crucial for providing comprehensive care to patients with cancer [ 1 ]