Mesothelioma CT scans or Computed Tomography Scans are a new diagnosis method that uses X-rays to scan the body and display cross section images of the interior. The technique is performed by an X-ray generating machine that rotates around the body and takes images (slices) of the interior, on which doctors base their diagnosis.
This imaging technique has the advantage that it provides with a complete image of the body, from which doctors can recognize healthy tissue apart from damaged tissue, which could be a sign of asbestos exposure. The appearance of the body on these slices is easy to read, and will provide doctors with an exact image of where the cancer is located, the fluid build-up and lots of other information that will help them give a prefect diagnosis.
Mesothelioma CAT (CT) Scans
Patients will be interested to know how mesothelioma CT or CAT Scans work, and if it will harm them during their treatment:
- The machine generates low power mesothelioma x-rays
- The x-rays are directed towards the patients body
- Tissue and bones reflect the x-rays in a different way, and that is how the image is created
Usually, a very small dose of radiation will not affect the body if it is only active for a short period of time, a few hours for example, but some mesothelioma patients state that they felt a bit tired after the CT Scan.
Mesothelioma PET Scan
Mesothelioma PET Scan, or Positron Emission Tomography is similar to CT or CAT Scans, but instead of using x-rays it uses positrons to scan the interior of the human body. And before starting the scan, the patient is injected with certain chemicals that will reflect the positron beam back to a sensor. It has the advantage of being a lot more thorough and being able to detect even the smallest of tumors or malignant tissue, and it will never cause any harm to healthy tissue.
Mesothelioma PET Scans base their detailed imaging on the fact that the body metabolizes sugar at a higher rate when cancer is present, and thus, by monitoring sugar levels in certain areas of the body, doctors can detect tumors, malignant tissue and other cancer related disorders.
More on mesothelioma CAT and PET scans
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