Which cancer can be detected early by imaging?

This is an automatically translated article.

Imaging techniques play a very important role in detecting cancer, thereby providing timely treatment for patients. Currently, there are many cancers that can be detected early thanks to imaging tests.

1. How dangerous is cancer?

As an extremely dangerous and scary disease, cancer is a group of diseases related to the abnormal growth of cells. Because cells are developed and reproduced in a controlled manner, produced as needed to keep the body healthy. But if there is a genetic mutation, cells grow and divide abnormally, multiplying endlessly to form cancer.
Cancer can spread to distant organs. Symptoms of metastatic cancer depend on the tumor location and may include:
Swollen lymph nodes that are palpable under the skin, often hard lymph nodes Enlarged liver or spleen Pain or fracture bone Other neurological symptoms, etc. Cancer if not treated promptly will cause death for the patient. Early detection and treatment when the cancer has not spread will give the patient the best chance of survival. The diagnosis consists of 3 steps as follows:
Initial diagnosis: Preliminary diagnosis based on clinical and laboratory symptoms. If done well, it will contribute to early diagnosis, thereby having timely treatment. Definitive diagnosis: Based on microscopic tests, especially anatomical pathology diagnosis. Staging: Evaluation of cancer invasion.

2. What types of cancer can be detected early by imaging?

As a dangerous disease, imaging techniques play a very important role in disease diagnosis. Some cancers can be detected early by doctors through imaging, including:
Digital mammography for early detection of breast cancer: This is a dangerous form of cancer for women. Most cases are detected at a late stage. Classical examination methods can only detect the disease when lesions, invasion, and metastases have occurred. Therefore, digital mammography is the most advanced technology today, effectively supporting doctors to detect breast cancer in women over 50 years old; The tumor was detected 2 years before it could be palpable. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for early detection of liver cancer: This is a common cancer in Vietnam. Screening and early detection of liver cancer is extremely important. Magnetic resonance imaging is the best imaging method for detecting early-stage liver cancer, because of its best resolution in imaging facilities. CT scan for early detection of lung cancer: Cancer is the most common type and has the highest mortality rate. To detect lung cancer, the most common method is a chest X-ray, but can radiographs detect cancer in its early stages? In fact, this method can only detect when the tumor is large. Therefore, multi-slice CT scan helps detect lung cancer much earlier. Ultrasound detection of thyroid cancer: Thyroid cancer is the most benign type of cancer. But if thyroid cancer is detected at a late stage when it has metastasized or invaded beyond the thyroid gland, the cure rate is also very low. Therefore, for early detection of thyroid cancer, ultrasound is the most ideal method of imaging means. Because the thyroid is located so shallow, ultrasound is easy to detect abnormalities.

3. Other methods of cancer diagnosis

In addition to imaging methods that help detect cancer, the following methods also contribute to early cancer diagnosis such as:
Diagnosis through endoscopic: This is a method of examining natural cavities and some organs of the body. Therefore, endoscopy plays an important role in the diagnosis of cancers such as: Cancer of stomach, colon, esophagus, cancer of lower throat - larynx, bladder ... Diagnosis through tests: There are many types of tests in cancer diagnosis (for example, blood tests, marrow tests,...) Each type of test is compatible with different diseases as follows: Blood test: Method for finding markers Cancer, assessing the severity, mildness as well as predicting the progression of the disease during treatment for the patient, but the blood test often has to be combined with other tests to give the most accurate results. Some blood tests help aid in cancer diagnosis such as: PSA antigen test helps detect prostate cancer; CA 125 antigen test helps detect ovarian cancer ; CA 199 test detects pancreatic cancer, stomach... Marrow test to detect blood cancer: This method helps to more accurately determine the patient's likelihood of having blood cancer. This method will conduct a marrow aspiration and test to classify and identify the types of blood cells in the marrow. Cervical cytology: Cervical cytology, also known as a Pap test, is used to detect precancerous cells before they turn into invasive cancer. If precancerous cells are detected early, treatment and prevention can be initiated before it begins to progress to cancer. Biopsy: This is a cancer diagnostic test used for almost all types of cancer, because the results are accurate. Usually, doctors will do a biopsy after a series of tests, diagnostic imaging... and a tumor has been identified. In this procedure, the doctor will surgically remove some tissue and then look at it under a microscope to look for signs of cancer. Clinical diagnosis: It is a chronic disease, going through many stages of development, so when it is at the initial stage, because of its small size and changes in humor, it is not possible both clinically and on tests. detected u. But over time, as the tumor grows in size, some substances secreted by cancer cells can also be enough to detect the disease through clinical diagnosis, unless the tumor is located in a difficult-to-detect location. With modern medicine, there are many methods of diagnosing cancer. Each diagnostic method has different advantages and disadvantages, so which method to use in diagnosing the disease is oriented and indicated by a specialist.

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