IMAGING

Imaging is a type of test that makes pictures of areas inside the body. Imaging tests may be used to help diagnose disease, plan treatment, or assess how treatment is working. Biopsy: The doctor removes a small piece of the lump to check for cancer cells. The type of biopsy depends on the size and location of the lump. CT (Cat or computed tomography) scan: Creates a 3-D picture of your body from different angles 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 powerful magnets to take detailed pictures of the inside of your body. PET Scan (Positron emission tomography): A nuclear medicine scan that uses a type of sugar to find and measure the spread of cancer in your body. 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.