Since time immemorial, cancer has been regarded as one of the deadliest ailments that has claimed billions of the lives. Cancer can occur across different parts of our body as a result of uncontrollable amplification of abnormal cells or tissues.
According to a data released by the World Health Organization, nearly 10 million individuals lost their lives due this dreadful disease in 2020. The numbers are expected to surge dramatically in the coming years.
Breast cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer, leukaemia, thyroid cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer are some of the mostly commonly occurring forms of cancer. Unhealthy lifestyle choices, genetic defects, age, and exposure to harmful chemicals and radiations are regarded as the primary factors leading to the onset of this deadly and complex disease.
Researchers and medical experts worldwide are making extensive efforts to find potential cures for cancer. With rapid evolution in healthcare technologies, various effective treatment approaches have emerged over time. However, it is worth noting that most cancer treatments succeed only when the disease is in its initial stage. In most cases, late detection leads to delayed treatment, thereby reducing the survival rate of the patients. Hence, early diagnosis of the menace called cancer can be a lifesaving approach for the patients.
By leveraging the power of scientific research and technologies, medical science experts have developed numerous cancer diagnostic tools and technologies. Cancer diagnostics generally comprise of lab tests, imaging tests, genetic testing, and biopsy, among others.
History of Cancer Diagnostics
The evidence of cancer dates to as early as 3000 BC. It is worth noting that this deadly disease did not have any specific name back then. Greek Physician Hippocrates (c. 460 – c. 370 BC) coined the term ‘καρκινος (carcinos)’, which is a Greek word for crab. This is because he observed that the cancerous tumours replicated the shape of a crab.
Roman Physician Galen (129 – c. AD 216) later introduced the terms ‘cancer’ and ‘carcinoma’ to describe the disease in his writings.
The efforts to effectively detect and treat the disease began centuries ago. Initially, physicians relied on physical examination and clinical observations to detect the presence of cancerous cells. But with significant research and development activities, the cancer diagnostics vertical experienced a massive evolution.
Between the 17th and 18th centuries, anatomical autopsies gained immense prominence, enabling medical experts to understand the course of cancer growth. Things became easier after the invention of microscope in the 18th century. By using this device, professionals could get clearer visuals of cellular structures and monitor disease progressions.
The cancer diagnostics vertical experienced a prominent breakthrough in the 20th century after the discovery of X-Rays. X-rays, or radiography became an efficient entity to detect cancerous tumours. Apart from that, diagnostic tools including endoscopy, ultrasonography, and computed tomography (CT) scans were developed in the mid-20th century, allowing better visualization of internal organs, thereby facilitating accurate cancer detection.
Promising Cancer Diagnostic Procedures
With significant efforts of medical research organizations, independent researchers, and medical professionals, several promising cancer detection methods have been developed. These diagnostic procedures show the potential for early cancer diagnosis, paving the way for healthcare providers to make real-time treatment decisions and reduce fatalities.
Some of the most efficient cancer diagnostic procedures are-
Liquid Biopsy
It involves the collection of blood sample from the patient’s body and testing it for the presence of genetic mutations. Changes in the circulating tumour DNA can also be detected through this test. This in turn allows healthcare providers to detect cancerous cells and monitor disease progression in case of cancer positive results.
Pros
- It is minimally invasive in nature.
- It can detect multiple cancer types
- It can monitor treatment response
Cons
- Failure to detect circulating tumour DNA in early stage cancers
- High cost
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI is referred to as an imaging technique wherein radio waves and magnetic field are utilized to generate detail images of internal organs and tissues. It enables healthcare providers to get in depth insights on the structure and functioning of the tissues and organs, aiding them in the identification of any abnormal growth, injuries, or inflammation. It can easily detect the presence of cancerous tumours in the body and can also determine the stage of cancer.
Pros
- It provides highly detailed images of internal organs and tissues.
- It can accurately determine the stage of the cancer
- It is quite safe for the patients and healthcare providers since it does not involve ionizing radiation
Cons
- It is time-consuming in nature.
- It is costly
Genetic Testing
Genetic testing is a relatively new cancer detection technique. It involves the evaluation of DNA sample of an individual to check for specific gene mutations and variations. It is envisioned at identifying genetic alterations that may be associated with diseases like cancer. It aids in the early diagnosis of the disease enabling healthcare providers to make real time treatment decisions. Apart from that, genetic testing can also determine the susceptibility of a person to cancer. This allows medical professionals to recommend effective preventive strategies to individuals who are prone to cancer.
Pros
- It aids in early cancer detection.
- It determines if a person is susceptible to cancer
- It enables healthcare providers to formulate personalized treatments based on genetic information
Cons
- It poses ethical and privacy related concerns.
- It is highly expensive and requires high end infrastructure
Biomarker Tests
Biomarkers are referred to as biological indicators or molecules that can be present in tissues, blood, and other parts of the body. These indicators can be regarded as a sign of the presence of an underlying disease like cancer. By thoroughly examining the biomarkers, healthcare professionals can accurately detect severe health conditions and make informed treatment decisions. Biomarker tests facilitate the early detection of cancer. Through these tests, healthcare providers can also monitor the effectiveness of cancer treatments and record disease progression.
Pros
- Facilitates early cancer detection.
- Sample collection is mostly non-invasive or minimally-invasive
- It allows medical professionals to monitor treatment response
- It aids in disease progression monitoring
Cons
- Might show false negative or false positive results.
- It has limited predictive power
Apart from the aforementioned diagnostic procedures, mammography, ultrasound, endoscopy, molecular profiling, next generation sequencing, and certain blood tests can further aid in the detection of various types of cancer.
Medical researchers and other concerned organizations are continuously working to develop precise and easily accessible cancer diagnostic procedures. Government bodies are highly concerned about the rising cancer cases and are making significant investments to enhance the oncology infrastructure of their respective nations.
Future of Cancer Diagnostics
The world is experiencing a wave of technological advancements and widespread digitalization. There is a prompt influx of these innovative technologies in the healthcare vertical. Efforts are being made to improve healthcare services through the integration of technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
Cancer has become a cause of concern for many nations and emphasis is being laid on reducing its prevalence, thereby improving every individual’s quality of life. Extensive research & development activities aimed at revolutionizing the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer are being carried out across the globe.
The integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in this vertical is expected to pave way for healthcare professionals to facilitate the real time detection of cancer at an early stage. AI has the capability of identifying certain patterns and abnormalities pointing towards the presence of cancerous cells, that might go undetected by human experts. The AI revolution will surely act as a boon for oncologists, if skilfully used.