Cancer is a condition in which cells grow abnormally, invade, and destroy normal body tissue. Cancer is the second leading cause of death around the world, but chances of curing cancer have improved with advanced scientific innovations. This blog will help you choose the best Oncologist in Hyderabad to cure cancer.
Key Takeaways
Understanding Cancer: It is essential to understand the basics of cancer for effective diagnosis by the best oncologist in Hyderabad.
Choosing the Right Oncologist: Once the cancer has been diagnosed, the person should choose the best oncologist in Hyderabad based on the experience and patient reviews
Cancer symptoms can vary from unexpected weight loss, fatigue, unusual lump, skin changes, persistent muscle and joint pain, fever that doesn’t go, persistent indigestion, etc. Rush to the best oncologist in Hyderabad if you experience any of the above cancer symptoms.
Family history, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, unprotected sex, ulcerative colitis, chemicals such as asbestos and benzene, etc are some of the risk factors of cancer
Diagnosis of Cancer
The best oncologist in Hyderabad diagnoses cancer with the help of a few tests. Early diagnosis of cancer is essential to cure cancer effectively.
Some cancers can be detected early through screening tests while screening tests are recommended for people with increased risk for other cancers.
Cancer diagnosis is done with the help of the following tests:
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- Physical Exam: During the physical exam, the doctor tries to identify lumps that could seem like cancer. The doctor will look for any abnormalities, such as changes in skin color, swollen organs, etc.
- Imaging Tests: CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, bone scan, PET scan, and X-ray give a picture of the bones and internal organs in a non-invasive manner.
- Biopsy: The doctor collects a sample of cells to study under the microscope for the presence of cancerous cells. Under the microscope, normal cells have a uniform and orderly framework, while cancerous cells have varying sizes and less orderly frameworks. Pathologists study the type of cancer and its aggressiveness and diagnose it through several methods, including molecular profiling. Generally, a biopsy is the only way to diagnose cancer.
- Endoscopy: In this procedure, a tool with light or a camera is inserted inside the body to detect cancer.
- Mammography: This procedure uses low-dose X-ray to generate breast tissue images to detect abnormalities.
- Nuclear Medicine Imaging: A small amount of radioactive dye is given orally, intravenously, or by inhalation while a camera takes detailed images of internal structures. Nuclear medicine imaging can help detect breast, bladder, kidney, thyroid, liver, brain, bone, and lung cancer.
Cancer Diagnostic Procedures
Cancer diagnostic procedures are used in studying tissue or blood samples to detect cancer.
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- Anoscopy: A tool named an anoscope is used to view the rectum and anus to check for abnormalities of the rectum.
- Bronchoscopy: A thin tool with a camera is inserted through the nose or mouth to study abnormal cells for lung or esophageal cancer.
- Colonoscopy: The doctor inserts a thin, lighted tube called colonoscope into the colon to extract abnormal growths and analyze them for colon or rectum cancers.
- Lumbar Puncture: A sample of cerebrospinal fluid is extracted to diagnose the spine, brain cancers, and leukemia.
- Pap Test: A cervical cell sample is examined under the microscope to detect cervical cancer.
Laboratory and Blood Tests
Lab tests are performed to detect tumor markers or abnormal cancerous cells in blood, urine, or fluids. Best oncologist in Hyderabad studies the lab and blood tests to suggest effective cancer treatment.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test: A CBC test helps measure white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, and hematocrit to detect leukemia and monitor blood counts during cancer treatment.
- CellSearch Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) Test: Circulating tumor cells that have entered the bloodstream are found in this test, which helps monitor metastatic prostate, colorectal, and breast cancers.
- Flow Cytometry: This test is used to study the cells in lymph nodes, bone marrow, and blood samples. Abnormal amounts of DNA in cancerous cells can also be detected with the help of flow cytometry. This test helps in detecting cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.
- MammaPrint+BluePrint Test: These breast cancer recurrence tests will help predict whether cancer will recur.
- Oncotype DX Test: This test assesses whether chemotherapy benefits breast cancer patients.
- Tumor Marker Tests: Tumor markers are present in the blood of people with cancer. Tumor marker tests such as the CA-125 test are used in combination with a biopsy to help detect cancer.
- Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test: Men with prostate cancer show high levels of PSA hormone in their blood.
Genetic and Genomic Testing
Certain types of genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers. Some tests can help determine if there are genetic mutations present that pose a higher cancer risk.
Advanced Genomic Testing: Cancerous samples from a biopsy and their DNA are sequenced in the lab to identify patterns resembling mutations. This helps the best oncologist in Hyderabad to select the proper treatment.
Genetic Testing: A sample of blood or mouthwash is taken to detect the gene mutations that could lead to higher cancer risk.
Cancer can be treated with the help of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, bone marrow transplant, hormone therapy, targeted drug therapy, and surgery.
If you have any cancer symptoms, consult the best oncologist in Hyderabad without any delay. The oncologist would suggest blood tests, imaging tests, etc., to determine the type and stage of cancer. Appropriate diagnosis ensures accurate treatment. So, choose a distinguished oncologist to diagnose the cancer symptoms and provide effective treatment.
FAQs
1. If blood tests are normal, can cancer still be present?
Answer: Blood cancers cannot detect most of the cancer types, so it’s possible to get normal blood test results and still have cancer. Exceptions are multiple myeloma, leukemia, and lymphoma that can be detected through blood tests.
2. When to see an oncologist?
Answer: See the best oncologist in Hyderabad if you have cancer-related symptoms, experience sudden fainting, unconsciousness, skin allergies, stomach infections, or unbearable pain. The oncologist can provide top-notch treatments through invasive and non-invasive approaches.
3. Do oncologists help in managing the side effects of cancer treatment?
Answer: Oncologists manage side effects that occur during the treatment. They are well-versed with the medication and therapies to treat cancer.
4.How do oncologists decide if a surgery is necessary?
Answer: Oncologists work with a healthcare team to check on health conditions and symptoms and prepare for surgeries to treat cancer effectively.