Blood and Laboratory Testing
Diagnostic Procedures

A great deal of research is focused on finding special markers in blood, urine, stool and tissue samples that signal the presence of specific tumors. Commonly known markers, such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) are among a growing number of indicators created by the tumor or from the body's response to cancer. In addition, blood tests are a critical first step in identifying blood-related cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

Routine cancer screening such as fecal occult blood tests to locate blood in stool samples, PSA for prostate cancer and PAP smears for cervical cancer are part of the American Cancer Society's recommended screening guidelines. In many cases routine blood or urine tests for periodic physicals, to determine organ function or to locate the source of a common complaint such as fever or fatigue may also help doctors zero in on cancer. Laboratory tests are used in conjunction with other tools in diagnosing and staging cancer.

A comprehensive array of laboratory tests for cancer, including Cancer Risk Assessments of genetic markers that may indicate a predisposition to certain cancers, is available through Sutter Cancer Centers. Extensive laboratory testing is also available through Sutter Davis and Sutter Auburn Faith Hospitals and through the Sutter Health network of primary and specialty care doctors.

More information on laboratory tests for cancer is located in the cancer section of our Health Information. Additional information is also available from the National Cancer Institute www.cancer.gov and the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org. For information on tumor markers, see the National Cancer Institute's tumor marker fact sheet.