Imaging
& Diagnosing Options for Mesothelioma Lung Cancer - Positron
Emission Tomography (PET), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed
Tomography (CT) and X-Rays
i) Positron Emission
Tomography (PET) Scans - How It Works, How do you Prepare?, Risks,
Technology Used
(August 15th, 2008)
 Positron
emission tomography (PET) is a nuclear imaging tool that produces
a 3D map of the functional areas of the body including the lungs,
heart, chest or abdominal area as well as other internal organs.
A PET scan can help the doctor see how the tissues and organs in
your body are functioning. Unlike Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI),
Computed Tomography (CT) scans or X-Rays that are designed to show
visuals of the structural details of your organs, a PET scan was
designed to show chemical activities within certain organs and tissues
in your body. This chemical activity occuring in your organs may
indicates areas where tumors reside, and that other imaging techniques
have failed to detect. Thus, a Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
scan is very useful in examining a variety of conditions including
heart disease, body inflammation caused by asbestos fibers, infections
and other neurological diseases.
ii) Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI) Scans for Mesothelioma Lung Cancer - How It Works,
Magnetic Resonance?, Superconducting Magnets & Precautions
(August 11th, 2008)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique
used to take pictures of the lungs, structures of the body and organs.
It can provide detailed visuals of the body in any plane. The advantage
of using MRI over Computed Tomography (CT) scans is that MRI scans
provide greater contrast between different tissues of the body making
it easier to detect malignant cancerous cells & tumors. While
CT scans use ionizing radiation or X-rays to acquire images of the
lungs, MRI scans use non-ionizing radio frequency (RF) signals to
output images of internal organs of the body. To determine extent
& development of tumors in the lungs, Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(MRI) scans use strong magnets & radio waves from which the
energy released is formed in a pattern. A specialized computer translates
these patterns of radio waves emitted from the tissues into very
detailed images of the body. Not only does this produce cross sectional
slices of the lungs or the body, it can also output slices that
are parallel with the length of the body. MRI scans are also used
to visualize the diaphragm (thin muscle at the bottom of the lungs
that helps the body respirate) where malignant mesothelioma tumors
could easily spread to.
iii) Computed Tomography
Scans (CT) - How It Works, Electron Beam CTs, Mesothelioma Chest
Scans
(August 11th, 2008)
 Computed
Tomography (CT) is a form of medical imaging that uses the concept
of Tomography to deliver x-ray images in 2 dimensional cross–sectional
formats. Once the mesothelioma doctor performs x-rays on the patient's
lungs and if they show pleura or lung abnormalities, the doctor
may ask him to undergo a CT scan to deliver more precise results.
The patient will be asked to lie on a couch and a scanning machine
will be put over the head. The machine will rotate 180 degrees emitting
thin x-ray beams at multiple points. Crystals at opposite ends of
the beam will record the absorption rates of varying thickness levels
of tissues and your bones. The machine will then turn these x-ray
images into a detailed picture allowing the doctor to make conclusions
& recommendations. Here are some of the advantages of using
computed tomography scans over x-rays:
- CT scans allow the radiologist to see detailed views of the lungs
& the pleura
- CT scans help determine the location, extent & size of tumor
masses residing in the lungs more accurately than x-rays
- CT scans can reveal thickening of the pleura by examining the
absorption rates of varying thickness levels of tissues
- CT scans can also indicate lung cancer beyond the pleura within
the chest wall or lymph nodes
- CT scans can help evaluate the conditions of the lungs
iv) X-Rays - How It
Works, Units of Radiation Exposure, X-Rays of the Lungs for Diagnosing
Mesothelioma
(August 12th, 2008)
 X-ray
is a form of electro-magnetic radiation with a wavelength of 10
to 0.01 nanometers; much like gamma rays but shorter than UV rays.
X-rays contain high energy radiation exposure because they have
an extremely short wavelength and high frequencies. Just like Computed
Tomography (CT) scans, X-Rays use ionizing radiation to create radio
waves to create visuals of different organs of the body including
the lungs. Once the x ray machine aims at the part of the body that
is to be visualized such as the lungs, it will emit a small burst
of radiation that will pass through the skin and record image of
internal organs of the body on a photographic film or a special
image recording plate. Different organs of the body will absorb
the x ray radiation in different ways. For instance dense bones
will absorb almost all of the radiation while soft tissues such
as muscles, fats & other organs will allow more of the x-rays
to pass through them. Due to this, bones appear white on x-rays
while soft tissues are presented in shades of grey and black. X-Rays
are also very similar to visible light rays where electromagnetic
energy is carried by particles known as photons. The difference
between x-rays and visible light rays is the energy levels of individual
photons, also known as the 'Wavelength.'
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