Recent Posts

Comments

Blogroll

Diagnostic Tests

July 30th, 2007 by admin

While choosing a diagnostic test, following factors might be considered:

  • Age and medical condition

  • The type of cancer

  • Severity of symptoms

  • Previous test results

So that your doctors can plan your treatment, they need to find out as much as possible about the type, position and size of the tumour, by doing a number of tests and investigations.Neurological examination (nerve tests) .The first test you have will be a neurological examination to assess any effect of the tumour on your nervous system.

A CT scan or MRI scan will be done to find the exact position and size of the tumour.
CT (computerized tomography) scan: A CT scan takes a series of x-rays which build up a three-dimensional picture of the inside of the body. The scan is painless but takes from 10–30 minutes. CT scans use a small amount of radiation, which will be very unlikely to harm you and will not harm anyone you come into contact with. You will be asked not to eat or drink for at least four hours before the scan.Most people who have a CT scan are given a drink or injection to allow particular areas to be seen more clearly. This may make you feel hot all over.


MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan: This test is similar to a CT scan, but uses magnetism instead of x-rays to build up a detailed picture of areas of your body. During the scan you will be asked to lie very still on the couch inside a long tube for about 30 minutes. It is painless but can be uncomfortable, and some people feel a bit claustrophobic during the scan. It is also noisy, but you will be given earplugs or headphones.Some people are given an injection of dye into a vein in the arm, but this usually does not cause any discomfort.
Biopsy: To give an exact diagnosis, a sample of cells is sometimes taken from the tumour and looked at under a microscope. The biopsy involves an operation and you may have to stay in hospital for a few days. There are different ways of doing the biopsy depending upon the position of the tumour in the brain.

Share This

Posted in Diagnostic Tests | No Comments »