When it comes to cancer diagnosis, imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) scans are often used to detect abnormalities in the body. However, many people wonder whether CT scans can detect cancer.
Let’s explore the role of CT scans in cancer diagnosis, what they can and cannot detect, and what to expect during the scan.
Understanding CT Scans
Before delving into how CT scans are used in cancer diagnosis, it’s important to understand what they are. CT scans are a type of imaging that uses X-rays and computer technology to create detailed images of the inside of the body.
CT scans help diagnose a variety of medical conditions, including cancer. They can provide detailed images of the internal organs, bones, and soft tissues, which help doctors detect abnormalities and identify potential tumors.
How Are CT Scans Conducted?
To get a full-body CT scan for yourself, you will visit a radiology clinic or a hospital. Your doctor or the technician will inform you of the precautions you should take for the scan. It is necessary to follow these for a smooth procedure. During the scan, you will lie on a table that slides into a large donut-shaped machine.
Once inside, multiple X-ray images of your body will be taken from different angles. These images are then combined to create cross-sectional images of the body. A buzzing sound during the scan is quite normal and nothing to be afraid of.
The radiologist performing your scan will ask you to stay very still because any movement can blur the image. At times, you may have to hold your breath even. If you are wondering how long is a CT scan, then it really depends on the body part it scans.
CT scans usually take anywhere between a few minutes to half an hour. After the scan, you will most likely go back home the same day.
What Can CT Scans Detect?
The question is, can CT scan detect cancer? While CT scans are a useful tool in detecting abnormalities and identifying potential tumors, they cannot definitively diagnose cancer. In some cases, a CT scan may show signs of cancer, such as a mass or tumor, but additional testing helps confirm the diagnosis.
CT scans, along with other tests, such as biopsies, help diagnose cancer. A small tissue sample from the afflicted area is taken during a biopsy and examined under a microscope to look for cancer cells. This type of testing can provide a more definitive diagnosis of cancer.
There are many other reasons why a CT scan may be useful. Some of these include the following:
- To detect complex bone fractures, joint problems, and tumors.
- To diagnose changes in conditions like heart disease, liver masses, and emphysema.
- To locate a blood clot, tumor, infection, or excess fluid.
- To show internal bleeding and injuries caused in car accidents.
- To find out if certain treatments are making any difference.
- To guide doctors in treatments and procedures such as surgeries, biopsies, and radiation therapy.
Why Get a CT Scan for Cancer
Now that you know if can CT scan detect cancer, you may be wondering why doctors still recommend it. Well, many kinds of cancer go undetected in a simple X-ray or blood test. For instance, kidney cancer is most common in men and women. However, it has no symptoms until it reaches a higher stage. Therefore, CT scans are useful in detecting such abnormalities within the body. Furthermore, biopsies and other scans can help confirm the diagnosis.
Types of CT Scans
There are many different types of scans for cancer and other medical conditions that help diagnose and treat them. These include:
Abdominal CT scan: Abdominal CT scan focuses on the abdominal area and can detect potential evidence of cancer in the bladder, stomach, ovaries, or kidney.
Chest CT scan: This type of scan focuses on the chest area and can detect potential tumors in the lungs, heart, and other organs.
Head CT scan: A head CT scan focuses on the head and can detect potential tumors in the brain.
The type of CT scan used will depend on the suspected location of the cancer.
What To Expect During A CT Scan
Once you know you have to undergo a CT scan, it is natural to think about what to expect from the procedure.
First, the technician will ask you to remove any metal objects, such as jewelry or even clothing, that can interfere with the imaging results. You may also have to refrain from drinking water or having food sometime before the scan, depending on the type of scan you will undergo.
You will lie on a table that glides into the CT scanner while getting the scan. The scan will require that you remain motionless and should just take a few minutes. You may hear buzzing or clicking noises during the scan, but it is painless.
After the scan, your doctor will review the images to look for abnormalities and potential tumors. Depending on the results, further testing will help confirm a cancer diagnosis.
Risks Involved in CT Scans
CT scans use x-rays that emit ionizing radiation. Research suggests that this ionizing radiation can damage DNA. Repeated exposure to these rays over time can lead to cancer. However, there is a small risk associated with it, and the chances that a patient may develop cancer because of a CT scan are 1 in 2000.
Another way to look at it is that the risk increases as you get more scans. This is because the effect of radiation adds up each time you get a CT scan. You can consult your doctor regarding the risks and benefits of a CT scan and find out if it is necessary for you to get it.
Ionizing radiation may be more hazardous to children because they are still growing. Therefore, they have more possibility of radiation exposure over their lifetime. In case your child is undergoing a CT scan, you can ensure minimal exposure to risk by asking the technician to adjust the machine settings for the child.
A CT scan may not be preferable for pregnant women; instead, an ultrasound may be better.
Wrapping Up
CT scans are a useful tool to detect tumors but require additional testing to confirm a cancer diagnosis. These additional scans can include a biopsy confirming whether a person has cancer.
Doctors normally recommend a CT scan if they suspect abnormal growth in the body because it often does not show up in a simple blood test or x-ray. In this case, a CT scan becomes necessary before further biopsies become essential for confirmation.
It is important to choose reliable full body CT scan services so that you can be comfortable during and after your scan. It is important to clear any doubts and questions you may have from your doctor as well as the technician who will do your scan.
You can look for affordable imaging services in your area by doing a quick Google search. Alternatively, you can ask your doctor to recommend a hospital or radiology clinic. You may also ask people close to you for a reference.