Screening is a way to evaluate people without symptoms to determine if they are at risk for cancer or have already developed cancer.
Screening involves:
Screening is recommended only for people with certain risk factors, such as Von Hippel-Lindau disease or those receiving dialysis.
CT scan —This is a type of x-ray that uses a computer to produce cross-sectional images of the inside of the body.
MRI scan —This test uses magnetic waves to produce images of the inside of the body. Using a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer, an MRI produces 2D and 3D pictures.
American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp?level=0 .
Kidney Cancer Association website. Available at: http://www.kidneycancerassociation.org/ .
National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/ .
Last reviewed September 2012 by Mohei Abouzied, MD
Last Updated: 09/30/2012