Imaging in cancer Flashcards
which imaging techniques can be used in diagnosing and staging cancer?
plain radiographs barium studies CT MRI PET
Biopsy
taking a small sample of body tissue so it can be examined under a microscope.
Endoscopy
allow’s doctor to view the inside of a person’s body
barium studies
barium appears white on the radiograph
barium swallow
barium enema
CT contrasts agents
Oral - dilute iodine based contrast- can be given to outline the GI tract
Intravenous - iodine based contrast injected into the veins to demonstrate blood vessels or the vascularity of different tissues
CT imaging cancer diagnosis
Diagnosis lung tumour pancreatic tumour renal tumour adrenal tumour retroperitoneal tumours brain tumours
CT imaging cancer staging
Staging- assess local spread e.g. lymph nodes, adjacent organs - assess distant spread e.g. liver, lung, bone or brain metastases
CT imaging cancer:- monitoring
Monitoring disease
- response to treatment
- relapse
- progression of disease
- make 2D measurements
signs you’re looking at an MRI scan
Excellent bone soft tissue detail Vessels can be demonstrated Brain, spine and musculoskeletal abdomen and pelvis cardiac imaging
Contraindications of MRI scan
- noisy and claustrophobic
- motion artefact (Blurring of a radiographic image, produced by respiratory, muscular, or other movement of the patient)
- patient with a pacemaker or aneurysm clips cannot be imaged
MRI contrast agents
Gadolinium DTPA is an IV contrast medium which causes changes in local magnetic field and so alters the tissue signal.
Vascular lesions and some tumours can be more easily seen.
Pros of population screening
pros:-
Diagnose disease at an earlier stage, before symptoms start
Cancer may be easier to treat and most likely to be curable
What screening tests do the NHS carry out?
Breast
cervix
Bowel
Pros and cons of screening for breast cancer
pros- early detection can get treatment pathway set up and potentially save lives
cons- it also identifies some breast cancers that would never cause harm- unnecessary surgery or therapy or anxiety of a ‘false’ positive
imaging investigations are______ and should only be requested when________
expensive
appropriate
