Types of Scans*
MAMMOGRAPHY
Mammography uses a safe, low dose of x-rays to give a detailed image of the inside of your breast and to identify any abnormal areas, such as tumors and cysts. To get these images, you will stand up against the machine with your breast compressed between two shields. It takes two to three images, taken from different angles, to get a complete image of the entire breast area. If your mammogram shows any questionable areas, you will probably have more detailed tests or a biopsy. The other tests you may need can be an ultrasound and/or an MRI of the breast.
PET SCAN
PET (positron emission tomography) scans use whole-body imaging to look at abnormal increases in sugar consumption in any part of your body and correlate it with other abnormalities seen on other imaging tests such as CT scans. This helps differentiate benign from malignant growth. You are injected with a radioactive glucose, which goes out into tissues and organs (don't worry, your body gets rid of it very quickly after the scan). Because cancer cells grow so rapidly, they need lots of fuel, or sugar, so they take in large amounts of the radioactive substance. This activity can be seen clearly on the PET scan.
A PET scan is often used to diagnose cancer early, detect cancer spread, watch for recurrences, and monitor cancer response to treatment.
CT/CAT SCAN
CT/CAT (computerized axial tomography) is a detailed x-ray that shows your organs and tissues as three-dimensional, cross-sectioned images. The machine itself is shaped like a doughnut. You lie on a table that moves through the doughnut's "hole" as pictures are taken of various parts of your body. Sometimes a special dye is injected first so certain blood vessels and other tissues show up better on the image. One type of commonly used dye contains iodine, so if you are allergic to shellfish (they contain iodine), let your technician know beforehand. The scan could take as long as an hour, and you have to remain very still and sometimes hold your breath as each picture is taken.
Newer CT scans - called spiral CTs - are faster and provide more detailed pictures. After your scan, you should drink fluids to help flush the dye from your system.
BONE SCAN
A bone scan looks for cancer spread in your bones. First, you will receive a radioisotope injection. This material is taken up by areas of the bone where there is cancer, inflammation, or injury. A specially designed camera is used to locate and record the places where anything suspicious has been found.
The abnormal areas will light up on the scan. Your injection will not affect any other people and is usually out of your system within 6 to 24 hours. A bone scan is also used to evaluate arthritis, healing bone, or infection.
MRI SCAN
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan creates three-dimensional, cross-sectioned images of your tissues and organs. A powerful magnet transmits radio waves through your body. The images are projected onto a computer screen and film (such as x-ray film). Because of the magnet, you will have to remove any jewelry or metal objects from your body before the test. The MRI takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete .Some patients may be unable to undergo an MRI if they have metallic objects in their bodies.
ULTRASOUND
An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves and their echoes to create images of your tissues and organs. When sound waves hit a solid area, their echoes are bounced back, but the rest go rather until they hit a solid area. This technique creates a two-domensional, black-and-white picture, which is recorded on a screen. A gel is applied to your skin in the area of the ultrasound to improve the transmission of sound waves and their echoes. New ultrasound technology shows more details by creating a three-dimensional image by analyzing several two-dimensional images. This can be very helpful inearly detection and treatment planning.
*Caring4Cancer. (2008). Imaging Tests. Cancer4Care ( Vol. 3, Issue 3, pp. 20).
MAMMOGRAPHY
Mammography uses a safe, low dose of x-rays to give a detailed image of the inside of your breast and to identify any abnormal areas, such as tumors and cysts. To get these images, you will stand up against the machine with your breast compressed between two shields. It takes two to three images, taken from different angles, to get a complete image of the entire breast area. If your mammogram shows any questionable areas, you will probably have more detailed tests or a biopsy. The other tests you may need can be an ultrasound and/or an MRI of the breast.
PET SCAN
PET (positron emission tomography) scans use whole-body imaging to look at abnormal increases in sugar consumption in any part of your body and correlate it with other abnormalities seen on other imaging tests such as CT scans. This helps differentiate benign from malignant growth. You are injected with a radioactive glucose, which goes out into tissues and organs (don't worry, your body gets rid of it very quickly after the scan). Because cancer cells grow so rapidly, they need lots of fuel, or sugar, so they take in large amounts of the radioactive substance. This activity can be seen clearly on the PET scan.
A PET scan is often used to diagnose cancer early, detect cancer spread, watch for recurrences, and monitor cancer response to treatment.
CT/CAT SCAN
CT/CAT (computerized axial tomography) is a detailed x-ray that shows your organs and tissues as three-dimensional, cross-sectioned images. The machine itself is shaped like a doughnut. You lie on a table that moves through the doughnut's "hole" as pictures are taken of various parts of your body. Sometimes a special dye is injected first so certain blood vessels and other tissues show up better on the image. One type of commonly used dye contains iodine, so if you are allergic to shellfish (they contain iodine), let your technician know beforehand. The scan could take as long as an hour, and you have to remain very still and sometimes hold your breath as each picture is taken.
Newer CT scans - called spiral CTs - are faster and provide more detailed pictures. After your scan, you should drink fluids to help flush the dye from your system.
BONE SCAN
A bone scan looks for cancer spread in your bones. First, you will receive a radioisotope injection. This material is taken up by areas of the bone where there is cancer, inflammation, or injury. A specially designed camera is used to locate and record the places where anything suspicious has been found.
The abnormal areas will light up on the scan. Your injection will not affect any other people and is usually out of your system within 6 to 24 hours. A bone scan is also used to evaluate arthritis, healing bone, or infection.
MRI SCAN
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan creates three-dimensional, cross-sectioned images of your tissues and organs. A powerful magnet transmits radio waves through your body. The images are projected onto a computer screen and film (such as x-ray film). Because of the magnet, you will have to remove any jewelry or metal objects from your body before the test. The MRI takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete .Some patients may be unable to undergo an MRI if they have metallic objects in their bodies.
ULTRASOUND
An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves and their echoes to create images of your tissues and organs. When sound waves hit a solid area, their echoes are bounced back, but the rest go rather until they hit a solid area. This technique creates a two-domensional, black-and-white picture, which is recorded on a screen. A gel is applied to your skin in the area of the ultrasound to improve the transmission of sound waves and their echoes. New ultrasound technology shows more details by creating a three-dimensional image by analyzing several two-dimensional images. This can be very helpful inearly detection and treatment planning.
*Caring4Cancer. (2008). Imaging Tests. Cancer4Care ( Vol. 3, Issue 3, pp. 20).
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What is Cancer Glossary of Cancer/Treatment Terms Types of scans to detect cancer
Common Types of Cancer*
Bladder Cancer Breast Cancer Colon Cancer Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer Leukemia (adult) Leukemia (child)
Lung Cancer Melanoma Pancreatic Cancer Prostate Cancer Skin Cancer (Nonmelanoma) Thyroid Cancer
* Common Types of Cancer - cancers diagnosed with greatest frequency in the United States
What is Cancer Glossary of Cancer/Treatment Terms Types of scans to detect cancer
Common Types of Cancer*
Bladder Cancer Breast Cancer Colon Cancer Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer Leukemia (adult) Leukemia (child)
Lung Cancer Melanoma Pancreatic Cancer Prostate Cancer Skin Cancer (Nonmelanoma) Thyroid Cancer
* Common Types of Cancer - cancers diagnosed with greatest frequency in the United States
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© Copyright 2016. Cancer Crisis Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
home | about us |get involved | donate | resources | contact us
© Copyright 2016. Cancer Crisis Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.