The term noninvasive can refer to diseases, procedures, or devices.
- Noninvasive diseases usually do not spread to or damage other organs and tissues.
- Noninvasive procedures do not involve tools that break the skin or physically enter the body. Examples include x-rays, a standard eye exam, CT scan, MRI, ECG, and Holter monitoring.
- Noninvasive devices include hearing aids, external splints, and casts.
Noninvasive is the opposite of invasive.
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References
National Cancer Institute website. www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/noninvasive. Accessed January 7, 2025.
Review Date 1/1/2025
Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor Emeritus, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.