Imaging

Imaging is a type of test that makes detailed pictures of areas inside the body. Imaging tests use different forms of energy, such as x-rays (highenergy radiation), ultrasound (high-energy sound waves), radio waves and radioactive substances. They may be used to help diagnose disease, plan treatment, or find out how well treatment is working.

Biopsy:

The doctor removes a small piece of the lump to check it for cancer cells. The type of biopsy depends on the size of the lump and where it is in your body.

CT (Cat or computed tomography) scan:

Shows a cross-section of the body that can help find cancer and show a tumor’s shape and size.

Endoscopy:

A thin, lighted tube is put into your body through a small cut in the skin or a natural opening, such as the mouth. This enables the doctor to look at the tumor and other nearby body parts.

Lab tests:

Blood and urine tests can be used to help find some types of cancer or to learn how well your body is working.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging):

Uses radio waves and strong magnets to make detailed pictures of the soft tissue parts of the body that can be hard to see with other imaging tests.

PET Scan (Positron emission tomography):

A type of nuclear medicine scan that uses a type of sugar to see inside your body with a special camera. If there is cancer present, this sugar shows up as hot spots.

Ultrasound or Ultrasonography:

creates images by giving off high-frequency sound waves through your body and can be used to see pictures of some soft tissue diseases that don’t show up well on x-rays.

X-ray:

A low-level of radiation to see inside your body.