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Life with Cancer

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Diagnosing Cancer

Inova Cancer Services offers all the latest diagnostic technologies to diagnose cancer and determine the best treatment plan. Treatments depend on complete information about the type of cancer, where it originated, how advanced it is and if it has spread.

• Imaging: X-rays, ultrasound, CT and MRI tests provide important information about tumors. Inova Cancer Services has the most up-to-date imaging technology available for precise diagnoses.
• Endoscopy: A lighted tube called an endoscope can check internal organs for signs of cancer. Endoscopy evaluates the stomach; colonoscopy evaluates the bowel; bronchoscopy evaluates the lungs. Inova Cancer Services offers a complete range of endoscopic services for accurate diagnoses.
• Lab tests: Blood and urine tests provide important information about many kinds of cancer. Inova Cancer Services has 24-hour state-of-the-art labs with board-certified pathologists who are experienced at cancer diagnosis.
• Biopsy: By a procedure, called a biopsy, that removes all or part of a suspicious growth, doctors can confirm a cancer diagnosis. The biopsy identifies the type of cancer and whether it is likely to grow quickly or slowly. Inova Cancer Services has the technology and expertise to perform the least invasive test that provides the most accurate, complete information, including needle biopsy and stereotactic core breast biopsy.
• Staging: When cancer is present, physicians determine the stage or extent of the disease so they can devise the best treatment plan. Sometimes, lymph nodes are removed to determine if the cancer has spread. Sentinel node mapping is a very sophisticated test that shows which lymph nodes are most likely to show spread so only those nodes are removed. Inova Cancer Services offers the most innovative approaches to staging cancer.

For information about cancer diagnosis, call Inova HealthSource at 703-750-8800.