Imaging and Oncology Flashcards
Most common imaging. Uses ionizing radiation.
xrays
Good for bones, kidney/gallstones, lungs. Not as good for soft tissues and brain
xrays
Most common location for bone lesions
metaphysis
What does stippled calcification on xray indicate?
cartilage
What does ground glass appearance of bone on xray indicate?
fibrous dysplasia
T/F if you see a lesion surrounded by a reactive cortical rim, the lesion is most likely malignant
false it is most likely benign
Can differentiate structures of close physical density. Eliminates superimposition of organs. Show calcified and hemorrhagic lesions. Can be shown in multiple planes or even as a 3D image
CT scans
Good for evaluation of masses in the chest, screening for colorectal tumors, intracranial neoplasms, and staging abdominal cancer
CT scans
Usually done with CT. Requires bowel prep, no need for sedation, cannot do biopsies
virtual colonoscopy
Continuous X-rays used to obtain real time moving images of internal structures. Can use to help guide fine needle biopsies. Prolonged procedures can lead to skin burns. Small cancer risk
fluoroscopy
uses low energy xrays to generate images
mammography
T/F normal breast tissue has masses
true it isn’t homogenous
Cause of most abnormal mammogram findings
benign changes
Radio-isotope is injected intravenously. 3 hours later the patient is scanned with a gamma camera. Provides a 2 dimensional image
Bone scans
Measures bone metabolism or remodeling
bone scans
What will arthritis look like on bone scan?
hot spots around joints
Especially useful in lymphomas and lung cancers
PET scans
Can marrow replacing tumors be visualized on bone scans?
they are cold (unseen) until cortical disruption occurs
Detects active, rapidly growing tumors. Used to detect metastatic disease. assess response to cancer treatment
PET scans
Good for small spinal lesions (osteoid osteoma and osteoblastoma)
SPECT scan
Type of MRI where water is dark, fat is bright
T1 scans
Type of MRI where water is bright and fat is dark
T2 scans
MRI that is better at detecting tumors and infarcts
T2
improve visibility of structures, especially small tumors that don’t cause much edema
contrast agents (usually gadolinium)
High frequency sound waves. Reflect an echo off of tissues. Usually seen as 2D image
Ultrasound
Recommended for 30 pack year smoking h/o
low dose CT
Best means to find early curable cancers - cancers too small to be detected by touch in the breasts.
Mammograms
Only breast screening found to decrease mortality
mammography
Describe the stages of tumors
0-in situ. 1-localized. 2-early locally advanced. 3- late locally advanced. IV-metastatic
Where are mets of the spine usually seen on xrays?
base of pedicles (winking owl sign)
Best predictor of survival after cancer treatment
PET scans
How would you work up a 1 cm nodule in healthy 40 y/o male, former smoker – hit in right chest by a softball?
PET scan (30% chance of being malignant)
