Posts Tagged ‘CT Scan’

How is Leukemia diagnosed ?

Leukemia can be diagnosed with a variety of tests, and understanding what each test is and what it looks for can make the tests a little less confusing. Doctors sometimes find leukemia after a routine blood test. If you have symptoms that suggest leukemia, your doctor will try to find out what’s causing the problems. Your doctor may ask about your personal and family medical history.

- Physical Examination
An exam is much like any doctor’s appointment; the doctor will take a detailed medical history and thoroughly examine the whole body.
- Blood Tests
To diagnose leukemia, a number of blood tests are performed. These tests are used to evaluate the type and quantity of blood cells that are present, the blood chemistry, and other factors.
- Full blood count
It is used to establish the numbers of different blood cell types in the circulation. A low number of red or white blood cells is described as anemia or leukopenia, respectively.
- Bone Marrow Biopsy
A biopsy takes a small sample of bone marrow tissue from the body. The doctor asks the patient to lie on his or her side and nurses clean the biopsy site with iodine or alcohol. After the site is cleaned, the biopsy site is numbed with a local anesthetic. The doctor uses either a very fine needle to draw out only bone marrow tissue, or a thicker needle to take a small sample of bone and bone marrow. The bone marrow sample is examined under a microscope to check for leukemia cells.
- Cytogenetics
It is a newer type of testing for leukemia. Cytogenetic testing uses a sample taken from a blood draw or a bone marrow or lymph node biopsy. The sample’s chromosomes are microscopically examined for abnormalities that indicate damage to the cells’ DNA.
- Spinal tap
The doctor uses a long, thin needle to remove fluid from the lower spine. The procedure takes about 30 minutes and is performed with local anesthesia. You must lie flat for several hours afterward to keep from getting a headache.
- Chest x-ray
An x-ray can show swollen lymph nodes or other signs of disease in your chest.
- CT scan of the head, chest, and belly, to find out whether leukemia has spread there.
- Lumbar puncture is to find out whether leukemia cells are in your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
- Differential blood count (DBC)
It is used to determine the relative proportion of blood cell types within the bloodstream. In particular, the percentage of immature leukemic “blast” cells is noted.
- Hematocrit assay
It is used to determine the proportion of the blood that is occupied by erythrocytes (red blood cells). In adult men, normal is about 46% (39.8–52.2) and in adult women, it is about 40.9% (34.9–46.9).

| More

If you found this post informative, why not sign up to receive new posts ?
It's simple, and free, and you can even opt to receive by email:
Subscribe in a reader
Subscribe to Good Health Tips by Email

Different methods to diagnose lung cancer

Lung cancer is often suspected after an abnormal spot is found on a chest x-ray done to evaluate a cough or chest pain. During this frightening time, it is helpful to know some of the procedures that may be recommended to find out if the abnormality is benign (non-cancerous), or malignant (cancerous.)
Diagnosis of lung cancer begins with taking a thorough medical history, including symptoms, and an examination.

History and Physical Examination

The history and physical examination may reveal the presence of symptoms or signs that are suspicious for lung cancer. Cyanosis, a bluish color of the skin and the mucous membranes due to insufficient oxygen in the blood, suggests compromised function due to chronic disease of the lung.

Chest X-ray

It is used to detect enlarged lymph nodes in the chest or a localized mass in the lungs.

CT Scan

It may be performed on the chest, abdomen, and/or brain to examine for both metastatic and lung tumors. CT scans are X-ray procedures that combine multiple images with the aid of a computer to generate cross-sectional views of the body. A CT scan exposes the patient to a minimal amount of radiation. The most common side effect is an adverse reaction to intravenous contrast material that may have been given prior to the procedure. This may result in itching, a rash, or hives that generally disappear rather quickly.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan)

is a diagnostic method in which hydrogen ions within the body (and/or specific body parts) are excited by exposure to a magnetic field. The resulting signals are processed by a computer to create an image of the chest to define the location and extent of lung involvement.

Bronchoscopy

It is a visual examination of the windpipe and lung branches performed by a pulmonologist (respiratory disease specialist) using a flexible scope. If the bronchoscopy is still unrevealing, or “negative,” a needle biopsy may be performed.

Needle biopsy

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) uses a slim, hollow needle that is attached to a syringe. The needle is inserted into the suspicious mass and it is pushed back and forth to free some cells, which are aspirated (drawn up) into the syringe and are smeared on a glass slide for analysis.

Bone scan

It may also be performed to rule out suspicions of metastasis to the bones. Metastasis is the process wherein cancerous cells break away from the original tumor, travel, and grow within other body parts.

Positron emission tomography (PET)

It combines the technology of CT scan with the technology of PET (positive emission tomography) scan. PET scans involve injecting a sugar-based radiopharmaceutical, which travels through the body and collects in organs and tissues. The PET scan is used to detect cancer cells in the body and the CT scan provides detailed images that can determine the location and size of the cancer.

Diagnosis Tests of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is diagnosed from the results of a biopsy of the prostate gland. If the digital rectal exam of the prostate or the PSA blood test is abnormal, a prostate cancer is suspected. A biopsy of the prostate is usually then recommended.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test

A test that measures the level of PSA in the blood. PSA is a substance made by the prostate that may be found in an increased amount in the blood of men who have prostate cancer. PSA levels may also be high in men who have an infection or inflammation of the prostate or BPH.

Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)

During this exam, the physician inserts a lubricated, gloved finger (digit) into the rectum. Because of the prostate’s location just in front of the rectum, the physician is able to feel the edge of the prostate where the majority of cancers begin. Abnormalities such as bumps or hardness of the prostate can be detected in this way.

MRI Scan

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is a computerized picture made by magnetic fields that can show detailed, cross-sectional images of the inner body. MRI scans can create a clear picture of the prostate gland.

Ultrasound

The prostate can be examined through a type of ultrasound called transrectal ultrasonography. In this exam, a tube is inserted into the rectum that carries the sound waves to the nearby prostate, producing a better image.

CT Scan

A CT (computed tomography) scan is a sophisticated x-ray producedure that uses a computer and rotating x-ray beams to produce images of soft tissue, bone, and blood vessels.

Prostate Biopsy

If an abnormality is found on the DRE or the PSA test, the physician will typically order a biopsy of the prostate.
A biopsy involves taking a very small sample of tissue from the prostate. This is done using a thin needle that is placed into the prostate. A tiny amount of tissue is trapped in the needle while it is in the prostate and then the needle is pulled out. This procedure is usually done by an urologist or other surgeon. The pathologist will examine the biopsy sample to check for cancer cells and determine the Gleason score. The Gleason score ranges from 2-10 and describes how likely it is that a tumor will spread. The lower the number, the less likely the tumor is to spread.
There are 2 types of biopsy procedures used to diagnose prostate cancer:
- Transrectal biopsy : The removal of tissue from the prostate by inserting a thin needle through the rectum and into the prostate.
- Transperineal biopsy: The removal of tissue from the prostate by inserting a thin needle through the skin between the scrotum and rectum and into the prostate.