The type of cancer and its progress is assessed through an evaluative process known as cancer staging, using one or more diagnostic options.
Diagnostic Radiology
St. Mary's uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT), ultrasound, fluoroscopic guidance, and nuclear medicine to diagnose and assess the patient's condition.
With the growing field of interventional radiology, the use of radiologic diagnostic procedures is increasing in cancer care at St. Mary's. An interventional procedure can sometimes help patients avoid more invasive surgical diagnostics.
Mammography
Mammography does not diagnose cancer. It reveals abnormalities in breast tissue that warrant a closer look. It has greatly improved early detection and survival of patients with breast cancer.
St. Mary's Wilma B. Bacon Mammography Center's detection technology includes six mammography units, a computer-aided detection (CAD) imaging system, ultrasound units, and stereotactic breast biopsy unit. A less invasive and almost painless alternative to surgical breast biopsy, the stereotactic biopsy unit removes tiny samples of tissue through an incision too small to require stitches.
All mammography technologies and equipment in the Wilma B. Bacon Mammography Center are licensed and certified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the standards established by the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) and the American College of Radiology.
Pathology
The Pathology and Laboratory Medicine departments support cancer care for St. Mary's patients through all phases of diagnoses and treatment. State-of-the-art equipment results in rapid analysis of everything from tumor assessment and staging to determining the effectiveness of drug therapies.