What Is a Cancer Diagnosis?

A diagnosis is an identification of a particular type of cancer. When making a diagnosis, the initial signs and symptoms are investigated through a variety of tests to identify whether cancer is causing them and, if so, what type of cancer it is. 

Diagnosis is not the same as detection. Cancer may be detected when symptoms or abnormalities, such as a lump or growth, are recognized by a patient or doctor. After a cancer is detected, it still must be carefully diagnosed. 

For example, breast cancer may be detected when a patient notices a lump, but it must be carefully evaluated with a number of tests to determine an accurate diagnosis. The diagnosis describes what type of breast cancer it is (i.e. “ductal” if it started in the ducts of the breast or “lobular” if it started in the lobes) and how advanced it is. 

How is prognosis determined? 

The probable course and/or outcome of the cancer is called the prognosis. Identifying factors that indicate a better or worse prognosis may help you and your doctor plan your treatment. There are many factors that help determine your prognosis. Some of these include: 

• Your age 
• Your level of physical fitness 
• Size of your cancer 
• Stage of your cancer 
• Aggressiveness of your cancer (cancer cells that are growing and dividing rapidly are considered more aggressive) 

Your doctor will evaluate all possible factors to determine your prognosis. 

Recently, the genetic makeup of cancer is being increasingly recognized as an important prognostic factor. For example, some genes have been associated with an aggressive course or tendency to recur. Identification of these in an early stage cancer may indicate a poor prognosis. Some research suggests that the genetic makeup of the cancer may be even more important for determining prognosis than the stage of the cancer.