People whose doctors suspect they have certain illnesses, such as cancer or heart disease, may be told they need to go in for a PET scan. This instruction can be a bit intimidating for those who are unsure what to expect. After all, the name sounds just a little bit mysterious. Despite that, there’s no
For the thousands of patients diagnosed with lung and esophageal cancer, routine follow-ups to make certain recurrence hasn’t occurred will become a part of their routine. Researchers are finding, however, that one test’s use should be carefully considered to keep unnecessary procedures off the table. PET scans are often used in the diagnosis process, but
For the estimated 50,000 Americans who will be diagnosed with head and neck cancer this year, surgery is a likely part of the treatment process. A new study is shedding light on a way to help some patients avoid this extra, and often dangerous, step in the treatment process. When head and neck cancers are
Patients who have undergone salvage re-irradiation for head or neck cancer may find a PET/CT scan ordered after treatment. This simple testing procedure can provide doctors a great deal of insights into the success of treatments while delivering prognostic value, as well. To determine just how effective the PET/CT scan was in regard to determining
CT scans are vital diagnostic tools frequently used to detect orthopedic issues that standard X-rays cannot pick up. Surgeons rely on these scans to help them see internal bleeding, fractures and other issues that must be addressed. While incredibly beneficial for diagnosing concerns, this type of scan does expose patients to radiation. In an effort
Doctors and patients who are afraid that CT scans and X-rays may open the door for increased cancer risks can breathe a sigh of relief. Researchers say there is absolutely no evidence that low-level radiation used in standard medical imaging, causes cancer. In fact, they are taking issue with a 70-year-old model that is still
People who are diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma are likely to find they are asked to undergo a wide variety of testing procedures. These tests are required to help doctors confirm the condition, stage the disease and even guide appropriate treatment actions. One of the tests some researchers say should be used during the treatment process
Every year thousands of patients are sent to diagnostic imaging centers to undergo a simple computed tomography, or CT, scan. This procedure essentially creates three-dimensional images of the inside of the body using hundreds of X-rays taken all at once. Heralded for its ability to help doctors see inside the body at things that were
An estimated 9,000 Americans are diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease each year. About 1,000 die from it annually. This cancer of the blood, although rare, can often be treated when it is caught early and the progression of the disease is well understood. Accurate staging is simply critical for ensuring the right form of treatment is
Properly managing the care of patients with high-risk prostate or breast cancer is a very real concern for oncologists. When the probability of metastatic disease is high, keeping track of any possible progression is a must for enabling the administration of potentially lifesaving treatments. Enter combined scanning technology. While whole-body MRI scans can offer incredible