Cancer diagnostics: what it is and how clinics abroad price it

Cancer diagnostics are the tests used to find out whether a person has cancer, what type it is, and how far it has spread. This page covers diagnostic tests only, not cancer treatment.

What does it involve?

The National Cancer Institute gives an overview of how cancer is diagnosed. Clinics abroad mainly sell these services:

• PET-CT scan — an injection of a small amount of a radioactive tracer, followed by a scan that combines PET and CT images. The NHS states the scan usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes and is used to diagnose cancer and check how far it has spread.
• Other imaging — such as CT, MRI or ultrasound of a specific body area.
• Biopsy — removal of a small tissue sample, for example with a needle or during an endoscopy, so it can be examined for disease. RadiologyInfo, from the American College of Radiology and RSNA, notes most needle biopsies are done as outpatient procedures.
• Pathology review — a pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope and writes a report. The NCI explains that the pathology report gives the definitive cancer diagnosis. Some clinics also sell a review of slides already made elsewhere.

How do clinics price it?

This topic does not have price tables on the site yet. Clinics usually publish diagnostic prices in these units:

• Per scan — one price for one PET-CT, CT or MRI scan, often by body area (one region or whole body).
• Per biopsy — one price for taking a sample, which may or may not include the lab analysis.
• Per pathology review — one price for examining a sample or reviewing existing slides and reports.
• Per package — a bundle of several tests, often with a doctor's consultation.

A published price may include the test itself and a written report. Clinics often charge extra for the tracer or contrast, sedation, extra lab stains or tests on the sample, a consultation to discuss the results, translation of the report, copies of the images, and travel and accommodation.

Prices are only comparable within the same unit and the same body area. A scan price is not comparable with a package price.

What should I ask the clinic before paying?

• Which exact test is included, for which body area, and with which scanner type?
• Is the written report included, who writes it, and in which language?
• Who reads the scan or the slides? Ask for the radiologist's or pathologist's name and qualification (see how to check a doctor).
• For a biopsy, is the lab analysis included, and how long until the result?
• Do you get copies of all images, slides and reports to take home?
• What happens, and what does it cost, if a test needs to be repeated?
• How long is the quoted price valid, and is it in writing?

What this page does not tell you

This page reports what clinics publish about prices and terms. It does not say which tests you need or what a result means. Those decisions belong with your own doctor. Some clinics sell whole-body scans to people without symptoms; the FDA states it knows of no scientific evidence that whole-body CT scanning of people without symptoms provides more benefit than harm. To have existing results reviewed by another specialist, see second medical opinion.