Diagnostic Imaging for Cancer

Imaging tests that track and diagnose cancer can help your doctor in making better decisions about treatments for cancer. There are many imaging modalities, from general to specialist diagnostic, interventional and therapeutic imaging. All these modalities are to help your doctor locate tumor and take a sample of it, guide the delivery of specific treatments, or check if a treatment is working.

CT Scan

Computed tomography (CT) is a diagnostic procedure that uses special x-ray equipment to obtain cross-sectional images of the body. CT scanner can monitor changes in tumor size and assess patient response to cancer therapy. Though CT provides images of body similar to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT and MRI show different characteristics of tissue. The two may be used together to increase the effectiveness of certain cancer treatments.

General X-Ray

X-rays are often used to help detect and diagnose cancers in the body, including those of the lungs, intestines, stomach, kidneys and breasts. An X-ray may detect a tumor in an organ such as the lung, and can indicate if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

MRI Scan

MRI is a non-invasive imaging technique that does not involve exposure to ionizing radiation (x-rays). It uses a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to obtain cross-sectional images of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures in a short time to produce high resolutions images. The MRI, with capabilities to perform whole body scans provide state-of-the-art oncology services for tumor detection and staging of prostate, liver cancers, and more. This detail makes MRI an invaluable tool in early diagnosis and evaluation of many focal lesions and tumors.

Mammography

Mammography is a safe, low-dose x-ray of the breast. It is an important tool in the early detection of breast cancer in women who have no breast complaints and in women who have breast symptoms.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a non-invasive method of obtaining images of organs and tissues of the body using high frequency sound waves. It is a very useful tool in guiding interventional and therapeutic procedures including:

Fluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy is a specialized X-ray procedure in which a contrasting agent is used to obtain "live" x-ray images of the body.

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