Cancer Diagnostic Imaging

A bone scan is used to examine the bones for damage caused by cancer that either started there or that has spread from another part of the body. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into a vein and after it collects in the bones, a scanner will detect it and create detailed images of the bones on a computer screen.

Brigham and Women's Harbor Medical Associates provides computed tomography (CT) scans. Using a special machine, CT scan uses x-rays to create a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles. The three-dimensional images reveal abnormalities in both bone and soft tissues, including organs, muscles, and tumors. For some CT exams, a special material called a contrast dye is used to make the area of the body being studied easier to see.

A special (low dose radiation) CT scan may be used as a screening tool for some individuals at high risk of developing lung cancer.

This safe and painless procedure produces pictures of the inside of the body using high-frequency sound waves. The sound waves are transmitted through a probe that is placed directly on the skin over the area that needs to be imaged. Because the images, called sonograms, are captured in real time, they can show the structure and movement of the body’s internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels.

Nuclear medicine tests use small amounts of radioactive material to diagnose disease. The radioactive substance is injected into the body, locates specific cells or tissues―including cancer cells―and binds to them. Special machines (such as a PET scanner) create images that detect the radioactive substance and help physicians find cancer, see how far it has spread, or assess how well a treatment is working.

This common, noninvasive test involves exposing an area to a small dose of radiation to create pictures of the inside of the body.