Cancer diagnosis is the process of detecting the presence of a malignancy, establishing its type and origin, and characterising its extent and biological features so that prognosis can be estimated and treatment planned. It typically integrates clinical evaluation with imaging, endoscopy, and tissue sampling, and re…
Cancer diagnosis is the process of detecting the presence of a malignancy, establishing its type and origin, and characterising its extent and biological features so that prognosis can be estimated and treatment planned. It typically integrates clinical evaluation with imaging, endoscopy, and tissue sampling, and rests on histopathological examination of biopsy or resection specimens, supplemented by immunohistochemistry and increasingly by molecular and genetic profiling. Histological grading and assessment of lymph node and distant spread underpin staging, while analysis of tumour-specific mutations, for example in genes such as TP53, and of nucleic-acid and microRNA markers, supports more precise classification and, in some settings, minimally invasive or screening-based detection. Population screening programmes aim to identify cancers, such as colorectal and cervical malignancies, at an early and more treatable stage, and their design must balance sensitivity, specificity, and feasibility, including in low-resource environments. Advances in molecular imaging and laboratory assay development continue to refine detection and diagnostic screening. Beyond the biological identification of disease, cancer diagnosis carries profound psychological and social dimensions for patients and caregivers, making accurate, timely, and equitable diagnostic pathways central to effective oncological care and to the psychosocial support that accompanies it.
12 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 12 articles above have been cited 23 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Cancer Diagnosis, linking to each citing work.