Imaging in cancer

Question 1

Name a few imaging techniques to diagnose cancer

Answer 1

Radiographs (e.g xray)
Barium study
CT 
MRI
PET

Question 2

why is barium good and what colour does it appear?

Answer 2

radio-opaque contrast

it absorbs more x-ray photons then surrounding tissue - appears white

Question 3

what are some things you can see with a barium ?

Answer 3

oesophagus , stomach, small bowel etc.

Question 4

CT shows like a cross section (slice of bread of body) so does MRI whats the difference?

Answer 4

CT - X-rays
MRI - magnetic field and radio frequency
MRI easier to see abnormal tissue
CT bone is white

Question 5

how are some MRI contrast agents taken into body?

Answer 5

oral - iodine based for GI tract

IV - for blood vessels of tissues

Question 6

say a wee bit about MRI

Answer 6

magnetic field makes all protons in body go in one direction. time taken to go back to normal is pick up

Question 7

whats MRI good for

Answer 7

bone, soft tissue detail
Vessels
etc.

Question 8

when can’t u use an MRI

Answer 8

patient who has pacemaker or aneurism clip etc.

Question 9

what does the NHS screen for?

Answer 9

breast, bowel and cervix cancer

Question 10

whats the WHO principle for screening?

Answer 10

should be important health problem
latent stage of disease and treatment
Test should cause no harm and be very sensitive

Benefit should outweigh cost