CT Scan and Its Role in Cancer Treatment

Posted by PET-CT Las Colinas on November 30th, 2019

CT scans are a common practice when a person has been diagnosed with cancer. This needs to be done before one receives treatment. This scan uses x-rays at different angles to capture images of the soft tissue in the body.

Ultrasounds and CT scans have proven beneficial for cervical cancer patients. This is because cervical tumors tend to shift because of bowel movements and the shifting of the pelvis. Some CT scans have evolved to suit the anatomy of the patient. The CT scans can locate the position of the uterus comfortably.

Images of the lungs can be useful in detecting how much radiation is needed in using radiotherapy. This could see a reduction in the exposure of healthy tissue during the course of treatment to the radiation.

Research has found that ultrasounds are not only cheap to perform but also quick and simple to operate. Radiation can trigger very bad side effects on the lungs. Therefore, doctors must decide on what radiation dose that can destroy the tumor. This helps in radiotherapy planning. The radiologists are able to limit radiation exposure to normal cells in the lungs.

The results of these scans are useful in altering treatment plans to contain normal regions during radiotherapy. The determination of the number of doses can be helpful to measure the amount of radiation flowing through the blood stream and can lower the side effects after radiotherapy.

So next time you are at the doctor’s office, and more tests are needed, ask for a CT scan. This could help you find out more about your health and determine the type of treatment you should undergo. The benefits are great because it is conclusive, reliable and can help determine the amount of dosage needed during you treatment.

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PET / CT of Las Colinas was developed with both patients and physicians in mind and our services have been used for various types of disease; primarily in detecting, staging and monitoring cancer, but also in heart disease and brain disorders.