What Are the Most Difficult Cancers to Diagnose?

Some cancers are more difficult to detect than others. Many do not always present symptoms or may only arise during later stages of development when the cancer is already affecting other areas of the body. Some cancers can be mistaken for other health conditions, only discovered when an X-ray or another imaging test reveals an issue.

As a dedicated health care professional, you play a crucial role in safeguarding the well-being of your patients. These silent cancers highlight the importance of routine screenings, which can detect them very early, even before they’ve caused any apparent symptoms. Early detection can increase the chances of recovery and reduce the risk of complications.

Below are the hardest cancers to detect and different diagnostic approaches to support better patient outcomes.

Difficult Cancers to Diagnose

The following are asymptomatic or difficult-to-diagnose cancers and diagnosis methods.

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is often regarded as the hardest cancer to diagnose, typically not being discovered until later stages. By the time any symptoms appear, the cancer has usually already spread significantly — reducing treatment options and survival rates.

Pancreatic cancer can be challenging to diagnose because:

• There is no current approved pancreatic cancer screening test.
• Early-stage symptoms are rare.
• It can be challenging to see or feel tumors during a physical exam since the pancreas is deep in the abdomen.
• Symptoms are often nonspecific, such as abdominal pain, weight loss and lethargy.

Early detection and treatments can improve a patient’s pancreatic cancer prognosis. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis, followed by an endoscopic ultrasound, is typically the first step in diagnosing this cancer.

Liver Cancer

Liver cancer typically occurs after the liver has already been weakened, usually by alcoholic cirrhosis or viral hepatitis. This is why it is considered one of the most difficult cancers to diagnose. While it can also be detected in a healthy person, the symptoms are usually delayed and not very specific in these cases.

Additionally, small tumors can be challenging to feel during a physical exam since the liver is under the right rib cage. By the time a tumor is large enough to feel, it may already be past stage two.

Liver cancer symptoms can include:

• Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Itchy skin
• Darker urine
• Paler stools than normal
• Loss of appetite or unexplainable weight loss
• Tiredness or lethargy
• Flu-like symptoms
• A lump on the right side of the abdomen

The five-year survival rate is 18%. A health care provider may order tests to learn more and diagnose liver cancer, including:

• Blood tests
• A liver function test to check for poor liver health or damage
• An MRI to detect cancer in the liver, its size and whether it has spread to other parts of the body

Lung Cancer

Patients can live with lung cancer for many years before it’s apparent. Symptoms are typically nonspecific if they appear and can be dismissed as other conditions like bronchitis or asthma. As a result, lung cancer is among the silent cancers diagnosed at an advanced stage when it has already spread beyond the lungs.

Symptoms can include a persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain and unexplained weight loss — often occurring in the later stages. To help diagnose lung cancer, health care providers might:

• Perform a physical exam, including listening to the heart and lungs.
• Order blood tests and a chest X-ray.
• Perform imaging tests, such as a CT, PET or MRI scan.
• Take a mucus sample for examination.
• Perform a biopsy.
• Perform a robotic bronchoscopy.

The American Cancer Society advises annual lung cancer screenings for individuals aged 50 to 80 who smoke or are former smokers. The five-year survival rate in the U.S. is 26.6%, but early detection and treatment can improve the prognosis.

Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer is one of the asymptomatic cancers doctors usually find during routine checks or scans when looking for something else. It often has no noticeable symptoms in its early stages, making detection challenging. Symptoms of kidney cancer can include:

• Blood in the urine
• Pain in the side or back
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Persistent tiredness
• Fever
• Night sweats
• A lump in the abdomen

To detect and diagnose kidney cancer, a doctor might perform a biopsy or order a urinalysis to check for blood in the urine, which can be a sign. They may also perform X-rays, CT scans, MRIs or ultrasounds to obtain images of the kidneys and urinary system.

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer, like other asymptomatic cancers, is not always apparent in the early stages. Symptoms can be vague and similar to common illnesses, such as bloating, pain in the lower abdomen or feeling full. There is also no accurate way to identify it in its earliest stages. As a result, this cancer often goes undetected for years, usually until it has spread throughout the pelvis and abdomen.

A medical professional can diagnose ovarian cancer through a complete exam, asking questions about a patient’s past health and symptoms and performing imaging tests like CT scans.

Brain Cancer

Brain tumors can be challenging to detect since they grow slowly and often don’t cause symptoms until they’re large enough to be a problem. In fact, some people with brain tumors do not experience any symptoms at all, as the signs can vary depending on the tumor’s location, size and growth rate. Common brain cancer symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Vision changes
• Hearing loss
• Trouble thinking, speaking or finding words
• Personality changes
• Numbness or weakness in one part or side of the body
• Dizziness or balance issues

A health care provider can perform a series of tests to establish an accurate brain cancer diagnosis, including a CT, MRI, perfusion MRI or functional MRI.

Diagnostic Approaches and Treatment Planning

At Impression Imaging, we collaborate closely with health care providers, providing essential scanning services to optimize cancer treatment strategies.

Understanding the intricacies of cancer diagnosis, our team employs a range of diagnostic approaches tailored to individual needs. Following a biopsy, we utilize advanced oncology imaging techniques to assess the progression and spread of tumors. Our services include:

• CT scans: Comprehensive evaluations of various body regions to aid in diagnosis and treatment planning.
• PET scans: Precise imaging to monitor treatment response and guide further interventions.
• CTA scans: Specialized scans for detailed heart assessments in oncology care.
• Nuclear medicine scans: Versatile scans for comprehensive diagnostic capabilities, from bone to thyroid assessments.

By accurately identifying tumor properties, our oncology imaging services can enhance diagnostic precision and enable a more tailored treatment plan. Our radiologists work with your medical team to ensure seamless coordination and personalized care throughout a patient’s treatment journey.

Choose Impression Imaging as Your Oncology Imaging Partner

By detecting asymptomatic and silent cancers early, you can diagnose and provide a more effective, tailored treatment plan for your patients. Elevate cancer care standards by partnering with Impression Imaging for oncology imaging services. With a top-tier nuclear medicine radiologist on staff, we prioritize precision and efficiency in every scan.

Experience exceptional customer service, rapid scheduling and a seamless process, simplifying referrals and report delivery. We can enhance your practice with cutting-edge technology and a commitment to streamlining the process for both patients and health care providers.

Partner with us for superior imaging solutions that make a difference. Contact us today to get started.