Unveiling Cancer Detection Methods: Your Guide to the Medical Maze

Positron Emission Tomography Scan

An individual with symptoms indicative of cancer may need to have a positron emission tomography (PET) scan to help rule out or diagnose malignancy in their body. This type of scan is a useful way for a patient's doctor to see the chemical activities of different body parts. While positron emission tomography scans can be used to diagnose many conditions, they are often used for cancer screening and detection. A positron emission tomography scan uses a substance referred to as a tracer to help highlight areas of the body that have a metabolic rate that differs from the rest of the cells in the body. Instead of searching for a physical mass like x-rays, computerized tomography scans, and magnetic resonance imaging scans do, positron emission tomography scans can show changes in the way cells are functioning. Cancerous cells grow and multiply at a much faster rate than healthy cells. Metabolic rate is the speed at which cells metabolize glucose into ATP or usable energy. The tracer used in positron emission tomography scans for cancer detection contains glucose, which causes the prospective area with a faster metabolic rate to light up in the image.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Or Computerized Tomography Scan

When an individual is suspected of having a cancerous mass in their body, their doctor may order magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computerized tomography (CT) scan. These scans help identify or rule out the presence of cancer. Magnetic resonance imaging uses a series of cross-section pictures of the inside of the body produced using strong magnets to create a detailed depiction of the patient's organs and structures. These scans are frequently used for this purpose because they provide more dimension and precision than typical two-dimensional imaging methods like an x-ray. Computerized tomography scans are also used to diagnose cancer and determine the stage of cancer, as well as the extent of the malignancy. This type of scan is a series of numerous x-rays taken of the patient's body from various angles. They are put together in a computer system to create a detailed image of the inside of their body. Computerized tomography scans are used most often to detect cancer in the chest, neck, head, abdomen, limbs, and pelvis. In some cases, computerized tomography scans may be integrated with positron emission tomography scans to provide a better diagnostic picture.