These 5 Cancers are Difficult to Detect
Early detection can dramatically improve cancer outcomes, but some cancers remain stubbornly difficult to diagnose at early stages. Pancreatic, ovarian, lung, liver, and kidney cancers present unique challenges that often delay diagnosis until the disease has advanced.
As the only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center based in Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center has developed expertise in diagnosing and treating these cancers and delivering survival rates that significantly exceed national averages.
Why are some cancers hard to detect?
These five cancer types share common traits that complicate early detection. These cancers might:
- Develop in deep in the body where symptoms appear only after significant progression
- Produce symptoms easily mistaken for common, benign conditions
- Grow silently in organs where early-stage tumors cause minimal disruption to normal function
Moffitt’s exclusive focus on cancer gives our specialists an edge in recognizing subtle patterns that others might miss.
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer develops deep within the abdomen, often producing no symptoms until it has spread beyond the pancreas. When symptoms do appear—weight loss, abdominal pain, jaundice—they're frequently attributed to digestive issues.
Moffitt's status as a National Pancreas Foundation Center of Excellence reflects an exceptional approach to this challenging disease. The results speak volumes: pancreatic cancer patients treated at Moffitt experience five-year survival rates up to four times higher than the national average.
Known for leading research in pancreatic cancer, our work has helped develop new tools for assessing risk and diagnosing cancer and new options for treatment like advanced chemotherapy, endoscopy, molecular therapy, and immunotherapy. Through our wide range of clinical trials, patients may have the chance to try promising new therapies that aren't yet available otherwise.
Ovarian 
Cancer
Sometimes called the "disease that whispers," ovarian cancer can present with vague symptoms like bloating, pelvic discomfort, and feeling full quickly—symptoms that could be dismissed as minor digestive complaints. Without reliable screening methods, diagnosis frequently occurs at advanced stages.
Moffitt has achieved five-year ovarian cancer survival rates nearly 40% higher than the national average (42.9% versus 30.8%). Our experts work together to provide care that’s personalized for each patient and lead important clinical trials to find better ways to prevent, detect, and treat ovarian cancer.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer often develops without symptoms until it has spread. When symptoms appear, they frequently resemble common respiratory issues like bronchitis or pneumonia, leading to diagnosis delays.
Recognized by U.S. News & World Report for performing significantly better than the national average in lung cancer surgery, Moffitt's thoracic oncology program has achieved five-year survival rates more than twice the national average.
As a high-volume cancer center, Moffitt treats all types and stages of lung cancer, including advanced and rare forms. Our multispecialty team takes an individualized approach to care, tailoring treatment plans to each patient’s specific needs.
Patients have access to:
- Multiple expert opinions in one location
- Current standard of care and the latest, most advanced therapies
- New discoveries from the lab to the clinic (as quickly as possible)
- The most promising innovations in lung cancer treatment
Liver Cancer
Symptoms of liver cancer often overlap with those of existing liver disease, making the cancer especially difficult to detect. This can create confusion during diagnosis, as signs of cancer may be mistaken for progression of the underlying condition.
As a research-focused institution, Moffitt's liver cancer specialists actively contribute to ongoing clinical research, giving patients access to the latest treatment approaches through a robust clinical trials program. Moffitt delivers five-year survival rates more than three times higher than the national average for liver and bile duct cancers. This achievement stems from both diagnostic precision and treatment innovation.
Moffitt's extensive surgical experience, combined with advanced preoperative planning offers options for patients previously told they had none. For patients who aren't surgical candidates, Moffitt's interventional radiologists provide leading-edge minimally invasive therapies. Using advanced imaging techniques specialists deliver precisely targeted treatments directly to tumor sites with enhanced accuracy.
Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer frequently grows without symptoms until reaching substantial size. Many cases are discovered incidentally during imaging for unrelated conditions, highlighting the challenge of early detection.
Patients at Moffitt benefit from kidney cancer treatment plans that are carefully developed and monitored by a collaborative tumor board of:
- Surgeons
- Medical oncologists
- Radiation oncologists
- Other cancer experts
This team approach supports highly personalized care based on each patient’s unique needs. For more complex cases, Moffitt oncologists may also recommend participation in a clinical trial, offering access to innovative therapies not yet available in many other settings.
Moffitt's urologic oncology program has pioneered approaches that achieve five-year survival rates nearly twice the national average.
Other Diagnostic Challenges: Breast Cancer and Sarcomas
Breast Cancer. While often considered highly detectable, certain breast cancers present significant diagnostic challenges. Inflammatory breast cancer, which represents 1-5% of cases, frequently mimics infection with redness and swelling rather than a distinct lump. Lobular breast cancer can be difficult to visualize on standard mammography, often appearing as architectural distortion rather than a clear mass.
Moffitt's comprehensive breast program employs multi-modality imaging—digital mammography, tomosynthesis, MRI, and molecular breast imaging—to detect these elusive breast cancer types. Specialized breast radiologists with expertise in these challenging presentations ensure that subtle findings aren't overlooked.
Sarcomas. Rare cancers that develop in bones, muscles, and connective tissues, sarcomas can present another diagnostic puzzle. With over 50 subtypes and symptoms that mimic common musculoskeletal conditions, sarcomas are frequently misclassified initially. Studies show up to 25% of sarcoma cases receive significant diagnostic revisions when reviewed by specialists.
Moffitt's sarcoma program brings together pathologists with specialized expertise in these rare cancers, employing molecular diagnostics to accurately classify these complex tumors. This precision enables treatment protocols tailored to specific sarcoma subtypes, improving outcomes for these challenging cases.
#1 Cancer Hospital in Florida
Schedule an AppointmentThe Moffitt Difference
As a facility exclusively focused on cancer, Moffitt's specialists manage a high volume of these challenging cases annually, developing the pattern recognition and expertise that can mean the difference between early and late detection.
Multidisciplinary tumor boards review complex cases, bringing together radiologists, pathologists, surgeons, and oncologists to achieve diagnostic accuracy that exceeds community standards. Moffitt's investment in cutting-edge diagnostic technologies—from molecular pathology to advanced imaging—ensures that patients receive the most accurate diagnosis possible.
For difficult-to-diagnose cancers, specialized expertise isn't just beneficial—it's essential. As the only NCI-designated cancer center based in Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center continues to lead the way in detecting and treating these challenging diseases, turning difficult diagnoses into successful outcomes.