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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Are There Any Definitive Tests That Could Detect Malignancy Which Don T Include Biopsies, CAT Scans, Or Any Other Invasive Tests?

Dear Doctor:
Are there any definitive tests that could detect malignancy which don't include biopsies, PET scans, CAT scans, or any other invasive tests? Do you know of a Dr. Tucker who invented a Hemotoxilin(sp?) test?
Many thanks for your insight in this matter. The information is for someone I love very much.

Carol
Thu, 18 Apr 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi carol
The diagnosis of a malignancy involves the following process
1. High clinical suspicion / Clinical probability ( based on the history of specific complaints/Age & Sex of the person/ethnicity/family history/life style related factors of the person etc)
2. screening tests ( usually simple, cost effective & non invasive tests )
3. Confirmatory tests (usually an invasive test like Biopsy)
is there a definitive test to detect malignancy, which are non invasive..i must say no. Since all theses non invasive tests are not very sensitive ( Ability to detect a particular disease in question) or specific ( ability to rule out particular disease in question). That means some uncertainty will be there what ever may be the result of a screening test.
But if you can mention the specific malignancy about which you are concerned, we can answer you better

take care


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Are There Any Definitive Tests That Could Detect Malignancy Which Don T Include Biopsies, CAT Scans, Or Any Other Invasive Tests?

Hi carol The diagnosis of a malignancy involves the following process 1. High clinical suspicion / Clinical probability ( based on the history of specific complaints/Age & Sex of the person/ethnicity/family history/life style related factors of the person etc) 2. screening tests ( usually simple, cost effective & non invasive tests ) 3. Confirmatory tests (usually an invasive test like Biopsy) is there a definitive test to detect malignancy, which are non invasive..i must say no. Since all theses non invasive tests are not very sensitive ( Ability to detect a particular disease in question) or specific ( ability to rule out particular disease in question). That means some uncertainty will be there what ever may be the result of a screening test. But if you can mention the specific malignancy about which you are concerned, we can answer you better take care