At Roswell Park, we have some of the most advanced imaging tools and pathology resources available so that we get your diagnosis right from the start.
Not all cancers are created equal. Each is comprised of cells that vary from cancer to cancer, and from individual to individual. And tumors may range in size, from millimeters to inches. Accurately identifying the extent of disease and the makeup of your cancer is imperative when determining the best possible approach to treatment.
If you have a symptom that suggests fallopian tube cancer, your doctor may check general signs of health and may perform the following:
- Pelvic exam: The doctor checks the vagina, uterus, bladder and rectum for any irregularities. To see the upper part of the vagina and the cervix, the doctor inserts an instrument called a speculum into the vagina.
- Blood tests: Your doctor may order blood tests. The lab may check the level of several substances, including CA-125, a blood protein that has been identified as a tumor marker for gynecological diseases such as fallopian tube cancer.
State-of-the-art imaging technology
With some of the most advanced imaging tools at our fingertips, and physicians trained to maximize their potential, we consistently provide reliable diagnostic results. Quality imaging enables the Roswell Park medical team to develop the best treatment plan and helps the surgeon map the most direct and effective approach to remove an identified tumor.
One of the more revolutionary imaging devices, the combined Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computed Tomography (CT) scanner is currently used to give a total-body overview of glucose (sugar) metabolism, which can reveal metabolic changes of cancer before anatomic abnormalities can be detected with conventional imaging tools such as stand-alone CT and ultrasound.
Special software is used to fuse PET images with CT scans, providing a union that is both functional and anatomic. PET-CT scans can differentiate malignant from benign tissue. They can also grade tumors, define distant metastases, and assist in treatment selection and evaluation. Finally, they can lead to early detection of recurrence, and timely implementation of salvage therapy.