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Diagnostic Testing

An accurate diagnosis is the first step in developing a personalized cancer treatment plan. At Miami Cancer Institute at Baptist Health South Florida, we give you access to the latest diagnostic testing methods for cancer, directed by physicians and staff who are specially trained in those techniques.

Miami Cancer Institute’s diagnostic team is comprised of physicians across many medical specialties, including radiation oncologists and pathologists. They use advanced procedures to identify the exact type, location, extent and stage of cancer. Their goal is to provide a precise diagnosis so you receive the most appropriate and effective cancer care.

Your care team at the Institute may recommend one or more of the following diagnostic testing methods to diagnose your condition and plan your treatment:

  • Laboratory tests. These include blood tests and urine tests. Abnormal amounts of certain substances in your blood or urine can indicate cancer. A laboratory test almost always leads to an imaging test and biopsy to confirm your diagnosis.
  • Imaging tests. Imaging tests use X-rays, sound waves or magnetic fields to create detailed pictures of the inside of the body. Radiation oncologists at the Institute use imaging tests to locate tumors and determine their size. This helps your cancer care team diagnose and stage the cancer and plan its treatment. Examples of imaging tests used to diagnose cancer include X-ray imaging, mammograms, computed tomography (CT) scan, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) scan and nuclear medicine imaging.
  • Biopsy. This is an examination of a tissue sample from the body. The tissue sample is usually taken from a tumor, a suspicious area on the skin, or another area within the body where there is unexplained infection or inflammation. At the Institute, pathologists who specialize in cancer examine biopsies to confirm if a tumor or suspicious area is cancerous. If cancer cells are present, they have the knowledge to identify the exact type or subtype of cancer and the cancer’s stage. There are many ways to do a biopsy. The method used depends on the location of the tissue sample and the size needed. Types of biopsies used for small tissue samples include fine needle aspiration biopsy, core needle biopsy, shave biopsy, punch biopsy, bone marrow biopsy and endoscopic biopsy. These do not require incisions. Surgical biopsies are performed when larger tissue samples are needed and include incisional biopsies (removal of part of a tumor) and excisional biopsies (all of the tumor is removed).

Your care team tells you what to expect before each test so you are prepared and comfortable. If cancer is found, repeat lab and imaging tests may be needed to monitor your progress after treatment begins and ends.

Second Read and Second Opinion Services FAQs

A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, especially when you’re making decisions about treatment. Having more than one medical professional review your case and offer their insight can ensure you receive the best and most appropriate care.

At Miami Cancer Institute, we offer second read and second opinion services to new or existing patients. These services provide patients with independent case reviews that can broaden the cancer treatments available to them. Keep reading to learn more about our second read and second opinion services.

  • For a second read, one of our expert radiologists reviews your diagnostic images from another healthcare institution to confirm your cancer diagnosis.

    For a second opinion, one of our skilled pathologists reviews your pathology slides from another healthcare organization to confirm your cancer diagnosis.

    Our experts may offer additional insights about your case that can help guide your treatment journey.

  • If you’re a new Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute patient, our Patient Intake Department helps you collect your medical records from previous institutions before your first appointment with us. We need the diagnostic scans, pathology slides and reports that led to your diagnosis.

    During your first visit with us, an expert radiologist reviews your imaging scans to provide a second read, and an expert pathologist examines your slides and reports to offer a second opinion. After their review, they will write an official report and send it to your doctor. Your doctor will meet with you to discuss your results. They may recommend additional testing to explore all your treatment options.

  • Getting another doctor’s perspective can confirm your original diagnosis and help you understand your treatment options. Sometimes, second reads and opinions modify your diagnosis and expand the treatment options available to you, such as clinical trials or novel therapies.

    If you’re a new patient with us, reviewing your scans and pathology slides gives us the most accurate, detailed information about your cancer. This way, we can create the most effective treatment plan for you.

  • Yes. Most major cancer centers offer second read and second opinion services. In fact, it’s routine practice for another healthcare provider to review information about your case. These reviews ensure patients receive the highest level of care with the most effective treatment options.

  • Our second read and second opinion services are like any other medical service we provide. We will bill your insurance. Depending on your insurance plan, you may be responsible for co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles or some out-of-pocket expenses. Contact your insurance company to confirm which services are covered.

Cutting-Edge Treatment In One Place

Cutting-Edge Treatment In One Place

When you’re going through cancer treatment, you need convenient care. At Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, we give you easy access to one of the world’s most comprehensive, advanced radiation oncology programs. We’re home to South Florida’s first proton therapy center, and we’re the only cancer center worldwide that offers all the latest radiation therapies in one place. Together, we can find the treatment that’s right for you.

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