CT Scans, or computed tomography, are among the list of types of technology your team of specialists may use for looking at the areas affected by mesothelioma in your body. Other types of imaging include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray imaging, positron emission tomography (PET scans), and integrated positron emission tomography – computed tomography (PET-CT). PET-CT is a combination of PET scan and CT in one machine.
Not only do these types of imaging help doctors view your organs and tissues that might show whether a tumor and/or fluid is present in a certain area, but doctors can also use these for determining what type of treatment plan is right for you. They will be able to see whether your mesothelioma is localized and may be able to be removed by surgery, or not, or whether chemotherapy and radiation is the best option for you.
Also, when you first begin therapy, doctors will take baseline images, or images at the start of your treatment, and take subsequent images to ‘track’ the progress of your mesothelioma as you continue your therapy. This helps them to determine whether or not you are responding to the therapy regimen they have designed for you.
Mesothelioma X-Ray Imaging
The oldest form of medical imaging, X-rays allowed physicians to diagnose health and medical-related problems in the interior spaces of the body in a non-invasive manner. X-rays are not directly helpful in diagnosing mesothelioma, because they do not have enough soft tissue resolution to properly image pleural surfaces.
Although they cannot differentiate between normal and malignant pleural tissues like CT and MRI can, X-rays can sometimes show an effusion, or fluid build-up, or give doctors an idea that there might be a pleural or lung malignancy present.
Because X-rays contain radiation, there are some risks involved, so taking the proper precautions is important to protect tissues areas under concern from having too much radiation exposure. Any concerns you have about X-rays and radiation exposure you can discuss with your doctor.
Mesothelioma CT Scans
CT Scans uses a combination of X-rays and computers to give more detailed images of the insides of the body than traditional X-rays. CT Scans are produced by a CT scanner, which is a high-tech imaging machine that rotates all the way around your body taking to take the images. The computer can then combine these smaller images into one single more detailed image. This high quality image is what helps doctors diagnose your mesothelioma.
However, because mesothelioma is such a difficult disease to diagnose, CT scan is not a guarantee for diagnosis, but in most cases an experienced radiologist should be able to identify the disease present in your scans.
Like the X-ray, CT scans also use radiation to obtain the images of your body. Again, proper care must be taken to protect the cancer from excess exposure to radiation, and any concerns you have about CT scans you should discuss with your doctor.
Mesothelioma – Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI is another imaging technique doctors will use along the course of your treatment. Unlike X-ray and CT, MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radiowaves to obtain images of your body, and provides much better imaging of soft-tissue, making it a much better tool for diagnosis.
Doctors may order different medications called contrasts for the MRI technician to inject into your body at some point during your MRI scans. This can be used to enhance the standard imaging signals to obtain a certain type of detailed image your doctor is looking for.
MRI has far better capabilities and better images when it comes to viewing the structures of tissues in your body.In addition, MRI is better able to visualize small differences between similar tissue structures or differences within the same tissue structure.
Surgeons use MRI to see how extensive your mesothelioma is, and will use that information to determine their surgical strategy.
Because MRI uses magnets and not radiation it has none of the associated risk that CT and X-rays have. However, if you have any concerns about getting an MRI you can discuss those issues with your physician.
Mesothelioma PET Scans
PET scans create a three-dimensional map of metabolic processes in your body. The scan is created using a combination of a scanning machine, a positron-emitting radionuclide, or tracer, and a biologically active molecule that the tracer is attached to.
The patient is injected with the tracer and the molecule, and then a waiting period takes place to allow the molecule to concentrate in the tissues that your doctor is concerned about. During this time, the tracer begins to deteriorate, and sends off a particle the scanner can read.
Once the waiting period is over, the scan begins. The scanner tunes into the particle sent off by the tracer, and creates a map of the body where the particle in located. This should correspond to the parts of the body where the biologically active molecule is now concentrated, which is most commonly fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), a glucose analogue.
Cancerous tumors consume glucose at higher rates than normal tissue, so the presence and location of the tumor should be visible on the PET scan due to the increased FDG consumption. However, other substances can be used to scan for different types of metabolic activity.
Doctors use PET scans to determine if your mesothelioma has spread, or metastasized, beyond the mesothelium. In addition, the risks with using PET scans are considered very low, because the actual amount of radiation used is low, and it degrades quite rapidly.
Conclusion
Imaging technology can be one of the most helpful tools in your treatment of mesothelioma. There are several different imaging techniques that your doctor may use in your care such as X-rays, CT scan, MRI, and PET scan. It is important to discuss any reservations you have about any of these imaging techniques with your doctor before testing.
