| TEST | PURPOSE | PROCEDURE (What Happens) |
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| Biopsy | Used to find out whether a tumor or abnormality is cancer. Benign means it is not cancer. Malignant means that it is cancer. | A doctor removes a sample from a person using one of two ways: with a long needle (needle biopsy) or by making a small cut (surgical biopsy). |
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| Blood test | Checks the blood to see whether the balance of the cells and chemicals is normal | A nurse or technician inserts a needle into a vein, usually in the arm. Then he or she draws blood. |
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| Bone marrow aspiration | Collects a small sample of cells from inside a bone to be examined under a microscope | A needle is used to remove a small sample of tissue from a bone (usually the hip bone). |
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| CAT scan or CT scan (Computerized axial tomography) | Uses x-rays and a computer to produce threedimensional (3-D) images of the inside of the body | The patient lies flat on a table, which moves through a large tube while a series of x-rays is taken. |
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| MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) | Uses radio and magnetic waves to make images of organs and other tissues inside the body | The patient lies flat on a table, which moves through a large tube while an MRI machine scans the body for several minutes. |
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| PET scan (Positron emission tomography) | Uses computerized pictures of areas inside the body to find cancer cells | The patient gets an injection and then a machine takes computerized pictures of areas inside the body. |
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| Spinal tap (Lumbar puncture) | Collects a sample of the fluid inside the spine to be examined under a microscope | A needle is used to remove fluid from the spine in the lower back. |
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| Ultrasound (Ultrasonography) | Uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of internal organs and other tissues inside the body | A technician moves a small handheld device over an area on the patient's body. An image appears on the computer screen. |
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| X-ray | Takes a picture of the inside of the body using highenergy waves | The patient is placed in front of the x-ray machine or lies on a table. |
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