Can the diagnosis for cancer be made with a blood sample?

by Dr. Pathmanathan on June 1, 2009

Question:

Can the diagnosis for cancer be made with a blood sample?

Answer:

In some cases, for example, leukemia, the diagnosis is made from blood. There are a few cancers in which blood tests are helpful in diagnosis (prostate cancer). For the diagnosis of most cancers, however, a tissue sample is required.

Previous post: Do pathologists ever speak with the patient?

Next post: What sort of training does a pathologist have?