A photo of a patient using the PET scanner at St Thomas'Tests and investigations help to find out a number of different things, such as:
- if you have cancer
- if you do have cancer, what type, how far it has spread (its stage) and where it is
- what treatment you need
- how well you cancer is responding to treatment
- whether cancer remains after you have finished a course of treatment.
Most tests and investigations are carried out during an outpatient visit to the hospital. Many involve a short appointment with a specialist. You may have a range of tests and investigations at the same appointment.
The main investigations include: