How Better Diagnostic Tests Are Helping Doctors in India Avoid Unnecessary Cancer Treatments
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Mayanka Lodha Seth
Written By Komal Daryani
on Feb 4, 2026
Last Edit Made By Komal Daryani
on Feb 5, 2026
By Dr. Mayanka Lodha Seth, Chief Pathologist, Redcliffe Labs
(World Cancer Day 2026 United by Unique)
Cancer has become one of the defining health challenges of our time. Considering the Global numbers, nearly 20 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year, and millions die despite advances in medical science.
Out of the entire cancer burden, India bears a significant share, with over 1.5 million new cancer cases annually and nearly 900,000 cancer-related deaths, a number that continues to rise as detection improves and populations age.
Every year, World Cancer Day, observed every year on February 4, aims to remind governments, clinicians, patients, and communities that cancer control is not only about treatment but also about awareness, prevention, early detection, and precision care.
In 2026, the World Cancer Day theme is "United by Unique," which underscores a powerful truth: every cancer case is biologically distinct, and every patient deserves a diagnosis that reflects their individual reality rather than generalized fear.
Analyzing Cancer from a Diagnostic Lens
Today, oncology faces an uncomfortable paradox.
What the oncologists and clinicians come across is that they are detecting more abnormalities than ever before, yet not every abnormality is cancer. Not every detected tumor requires aggressive treatment. With the rise of advanced imaging technologies, clinicians are increasingly confronted with small nodules, faint shadows, and borderline lesions that appear suspicious.
However, a cross-check with pathology is often overlooked before ruling out the treatment plan, even though it may ultimately be harmless and can help support the right decision and improve outcomes.
Importance of Right Diagnosis for Cancer & Cancer Treatment
Multiple national and international studies and research reflect that a substantial proportion of positive cancer screening results are false positives, particularly in lung cancer screening, where the majority of CT-detected lung nodules eventually prove to be benign.
At the same time, global research into cancer overdiagnosis suggests that a significant proportion of cancers detected through screening may never progress to life-threatening disease, and they are preventable and curable.
Yet, patients still undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation, leading not to a cure but a painful end to their lives.
A misdiagnosis can lead to emotional trauma and financial strain, emphasizing how accurate diagnostics can provide relief and peace of mind, helping patients and families feel more confident and supported.
This is why a multidisciplinary approach that combines advanced pathology with clinical expertise can foster hope and trust in the future of cancer care for both clinicians and patients.
A Rare Redcliffe Labs Study That Changed the Course of Care
A recent study at Redcliffe Labs, led by Dr. Mayanka Lodha Seth, Chief Pathologist, shows how advanced pathology and precision diagnostics can prevent unnecessary treatments and improve patient outcomes.
The patient was a 42-year-old woman with a prior history of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the buccal mucosa, successfully treated in 2021 with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She remained disease-free for several years and returned for routine follow-up in 2024.
A CT scan revealed multiple nodules in both lungs and the pleural lining, with the largest lesion measuring approximately 1.1 cm. Given her cancer history and the bilateral distribution of nodules, the radiologic impression strongly suggested metastatic recurrence, a diagnosis that would typically trigger systemic chemotherapy and potentially surgical intervention.
Naturally, the findings generated fear for the patient, her family, and her treating physicians.
Yet clinically, she felt completely well. There was no cough, no breathlessness, no chest pain, no fatigue, and no functional decline.
Instead of treating based solely on radiologic suspicion, the clinical team pursued definitive tissue confirmation.
What the Biopsy Revealed and Why It Mattered?
A CT-guided core needle biopsy was performed. Under microscopic examination, the tumor cells appeared uniform and non-aggressive, lacking features commonly associated with metastatic cancer such as necrosis, hemorrhage, or rapid cell division.
Further analysis using immunohistochemistry (IHC) confirmed that the cells were of the myoepithelial lineage, with positivity for PanCK, SMA, SOX10, p63, and H-caldesmon. The Ki-67 proliferation index was approximately 2 percent, indicating a very slow-growing tumor.
Importantly, markers associated with lung carcinoma, melanoma, sarcoma, and other malignant mimics were negative.
The final diagnosis:
Benign pulmonary myoepithelioma is an exceptionally rare lung tumor, with only a limited number of reported cases worldwide, and even fewer involving both lungs and pleura.
On imaging, it looked like metastatic cancer.
Biologically, it was non-aggressive and not malignant.
Proper diagnosis with advanced pathology prevents unnecessary cancer Treatments, saving patients from toxic side effects and invasive procedures.
Had this case been treated based on imaging alone, the patient would likely have undergone:
- Systemic chemotherapy
- Possible lung surgery
- Prolonged oncologic treatment
- Psychological distress
- Avoidable financial burden
Instead, she was placed under active surveillance, avoiding toxic therapy and invasive procedures.
In this case, the most powerful medical intervention was not chemotherapy or surgery; it was diagnostic accuracy.
Why Pathology Is the Real Frontline of Modern Cancer Care?
Scans can detect abnormalities; pathology determines the truth.
Accurate cancer diagnosis relies on advanced pathology and molecular tools that reveal a tumor's true nature and biological behavior.
- Histopathology (Biopsy Analysis)
Histopathology remains the gold standard for confirming cancer, allowing pathologists to examine tissue directly and determine whether a tumor is benign or malignant and how aggressive it appears. - Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
IHC helps identify the exact type and origin of a tumor by detecting specific proteins in cancer cells, ensuring accurate classification and preventing mislabeling of look-alike tumors. - Ki-67 Proliferation Index
The Ki-67 index measures how rapidly tumor cells divide, helping clinicians assess whether a tumor is aggressive or slow-growing and guiding treatment intensity decisions. - Molecular Diagnostics and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)
NGS identifies genetic mutations within tumors, enabling personalized treatment decisions and improving the selection of targeted therapies. - Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH)
FISH testing detects specific chromosomal abnormalities and gene rearrangements, improving diagnostic precision in cancers that depend on genetic markers for therapy. - Liquid Biopsy (Circulating Tumor DNA / ctDNA)
Liquid biopsy offers a minimally invasive way to detect and monitor cancer, track treatment response, and identify recurrence through a simple blood test. - Tumor Marker Testing
Tumor marker assays measure cancer-related substances in blood, supporting diagnosis, monitoring recurrence, and guiding long-term follow-up. - Expert Second-Opinion Pathology Review
Second-opinion pathology is particularly valuable in rare, complex, or borderline cases, reducing the risk of misdiagnosis before life-altering treatment decisions are made.
Together, the right diagnosis, regardless of radiology or pathology, helps doctors and oncologists determine the appropriate course of treatment and achieve the best patient outcomes.
Why This Study Matters for the Future of Handling Cancer Burden in India?
As cancer incidence continues to rise, India faces a dual challenge: expanding access to cancer care while preventing unnecessary or harmful treatment.
As cancer incidence rises, adopting personalized medicine not only improves outcomes but also empowers patients and clinicians with tailored, effective care, fostering optimism for India's cancer future.
Accurate diagnosis:
- Protects patients from avoidable harm
- Preserves quality of life
- Reduces financial toxicity for families
- Prevents overuse of chemotherapy and surgery
- Strengthens trust in medical decision-making
- Advances the global understanding of rare tumor biology
It also underscores the importance of multidisciplinary tumor boards, where radiologists, pathologists, oncologists, and surgeons collaborate to ensure balanced, responsible treatment decisions.
A World Cancer Day Reflection: Biology Before Fear
World Cancer Day 2026 calls on the world to recognize that every cancer and every patient is unique. That uniqueness begins at diagnosis.
Not every scan means relapse.
Not every tumor is malignant.
Not every abnormality requires aggressive intervention.
Sometimes, the most life-saving decision in cancer care is to pause, confirm, and protect a patient from unnecessary harm.
The rare cancer case studied at Redcliffe Labs underscores that modern oncology must be guided by biology, evidence, and patient-centered judgment, not by fear or assumptions.
In an era of medical advancement, both over- and undertreatment carry medical, emotional, and financial consequences. It is important to provide the right treatment for the right diagnosis, regardless of the methodology.
As the rare case study detailed above suggests, accurate pathology is one of the strongest safeguards in cancer care.
Sometimes, the greatest act in medicine is not to treat but to diagnose correctly and spare a patient from the wrong treatment.
Got more questions? Check out our latest blog on
Frequently Asked Questions on Cancer, with detailed answers by our Chief Pathologist Dr Mayanka Lodha Seth.
