How PET Scan, CT Scan, and MRI Differ in Cancer Diagnosis?

A timely cancer diagnosis is crucial because it improves the chances of more effective and less invasive treatment. It is a well-known fact that a last-stage cancer diagnosis increases the requirement for aggressive treatment and costly procedures. Thus, the key is to ensure early and accurate cancer diagnosis through various advanced scans and techniques.

If you or your loved ones are experiencing symptoms of cancer, then you can seek affordable cancer treatment in Siliguri or a location of your convenience. By seeking cancer treatment in reliable hospitals, you ensure that an accurate cancer diagnosis is performed on the first hand.

In this blog, you will learn about the differences between advanced imaging techniques, such as PET Scan, CT Scan, and MRI Scan. Let us start by knowing the purpose of each scan individually first.

The Role of a PET Scan in Cancer Diagnosis

A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan is used as an imaging test for diagnosing cancer based on observing how the cells of the body are functioning. This scan helps in identifying areas that are demonstrating high metabolic activity based on the use of a radioactive tracer. A PET Scan holds tremendous significance because it helps in the early detection of potential cancer, analyses the potential spread of cancer, and examines the effectiveness of ongoing cancer treatment.

This scan works in the following ways:

• A small amount of radioactive substances is injected into the body to analyse how the cells in the body react to the injected substance.

• Cancer cells tend to show high metabolic activity, which is why the presence of cancer cells can rapidly absorb the sugar-like radioactive substance.

• The detection of potential rapid absorption is done by using a scanner, which detects the positrons emitted by the tracer. 3D images are created by the scanner, which shows the white spots being spotted by the tracer. The white spots are indicators of high metabolic activity in specific cells.

The Role of a CT Scan in Cancer Diagnosis

A CT Scan is used for detecting tumours, along with the size, shape, and location of tumours. In addition, this scan helps in confirming whether the cancer has spread to the body or not. One of the main purposes of using a CT Scan is to guide biopsies and the relevant treatment process. It must be remembered that a CT Scan is used for spotting suspicious areas, but confirmation can be done after a detailed biopsy report of the suspicious area. Overall, this scan offers cross-sectional views of organs and tissues, which help in identifying abnormalities.

A CT Scan works in the following ways:

• A suspected cancer patient is taken inside a machine called a gantry. Inside this machine, a rotating X-ray tube emits a narrow beam of X-rays.

• The tissue in the body absorbs or attenuates the X-rays depending on their type. Thus, a detailed cross-sectional image is obtained where the bones appear white, and the dense tissues appear black.

• After that, a powerful computer processes data to create detailed slices. A radiologist analyses these slices to find tumours along with their sizes and location.

• Sometimes a contrast material is given orally so that the cancerous tumours appear brighter.

The Role of an MRI Scan in Cancer Diagnosis

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan is used for obtaining detailed images of the body’s internal soft tissues, which helps in detecting, staging, and monitoring specific cancer types. One of the main advantages of using an MRI Scan is that it does not use ionising radiation, which makes it safe for repetitive use. However, MRI Scans are expensive compared to other scans. By using this scan, doctors or oncologists can differentiate between cancerous and normal tissues.

An MRI Scan works in the following ways:

• The patient is put inside a large MRI machine where coils are put in specific body parts of the patient for sending and receiving radio waves.

• Inside the machine, a strong magnetic field is produced, and radio waves are used to create detailed images of the tissues and organs inside the patient’s body.

• Detailed slices or images are taken by the MRI machine, which are then compiled into 2D and 3D images by a computer. A radiologist or oncologist then examines the images for detecting abnormalities in tissues. In addition, the location, size, and shape of a tumour are identified in these images.

The Major Differences Between PET Scans, CT Scans, and MRI Scans in Cancer Diagnosis

The table below illustrates the key differences between the scans used in cancer diagnosis:

Final Thoughts

All three Scans - PET Scan, CT Scan, and MRI Scan are important in cancer diagnosis because they have individual specialities. The feasibility of the tests according to individual health conditions is determined by a top oncologist present in a reputed cancer hospital, such as Hope and Heal Cancer Hospital. By acquiring knowledge about the scans' purposes and differences, one can develop an idea about why an oncologist is referring to getting a specific test or multiple tests done.

If you are looking for the best cancer treatment in Siliguri or a location near you, then you can visit a top cancer hospital now and get an accurate diagnosis done at first.