Imaging is taking pictures of the organs in the body. The doctor uses these pictures to check if there is a tumor on the ovary, as well as the size, shape and location of the tumor. It also checks to see if the tumor has spread to other places outside the ovary. There are many different types of imaging used for these tests, including ultrasound, scanning tests and endoscopy. Sometimes, some tests require several hours of not eating or drinking before they can be done, and others require the removal of all metal objects from the body. The following imaging tests are usually used to detect ovarian cancer.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a test that uses sound waves to take pictures of the internal organs of the body and is often the first choice for ovarian cancer. Ultrasound can well detect the size, shape and location of ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and adjacent tissues. It can also detect masses on the ovaries and whether the contents of the masses are solid or just a packet of fluid.
To perform this test, the doctor holds a device called an ultrasound probe in his or her hand, which transmits sound waves that are bounced back by organs and tissues in the body, producing an echo, which in turn is transmitted through the probe to a computer that presents a picture on the screen. Two types of ultrasound are available for ovarian cancer screening: transabdominal ultrasound and vaginal ultrasound.
During an abdominal ultrasound, the doctor applies gel to the skin of the lower abdomen and pelvis, both abdominal and pelvic. The application of gel to the skin will make the images clearer. The doctor will move the probe back and forth over the gel-coated skin. During a vaginal ultrasound, the doctor will insert the probe into the vagina. An intravaginal ultrasound will give the doctor a better view of the ovaries. Ultrasound exams are usually not painful. However, it may be a little uncomfortable when the probe is placed into the vagina during a vaginal ultrasound.
II. CT scan examination
A CT uses an X-ray beam to take pictures of the inside of the body, taking pictures of the same part of the body from different angles and then combining all of the X-ray images to form a detailed picture of a particular part of the body.
CT scans of the chest, abdomen, and/or pelvis may also be performed when ovarian cancer is initially detected or suspected, CT is superior in detecting ovarian cancer metastases but does not easily show small tumors, CT scans can also detect any nearby enlarged lymph nodes, and if there are enlarged lymph nodes nearby, this may indicate that the cancer has spread.
Before the CT scan, a contrast agent may be given or injected to make the image clearer. The contrast agent may be dissolved in a glass of water and drunk, or injected into a vein, or both drunk and injected intravenously. It may make your skin red or cause hives (itching, swelling, and redness of the skin). In rare cases, a severe allergic reaction may occur. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have had any previous adverse reactions.
CT scan equipment is usually large and has a tunnel in the middle. During the exam, you will lie face up on an exam table that slowly passes through the tunnel. The scanner will rotate the x-ray beam around you, taking pictures from multiple angles. During this time, you may hear a buzzing, clicking, or whirring sound.
After all of the exams are complete, the computer will combine all of the X-ray pictures together to form a detailed image. The reason it may take a few days to get your test results is that the radiologist needs to read the images. A radiologist is a doctor who specializes and specializes in reading images from imaging tests.
MRI scan
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans use radio waves and a powerful magnetic field to take pictures of the body’s internal organs without using X-rays. MRI scans of the pelvic and abdominal cavities can also be performed to check for ovarian cancer if the ultrasound is not clear. MRI scans of the chest are used to look for the spread of cancer. MRI scans are also used to check the effectiveness of treatment and to assess whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
An MRI scan is similar to a CT scan, except that it may take longer. During the scan, you lie on an exam table that goes through a large tunnel and your body feels somewhat warmer. As with CT, the contrast agent makes the images clearer. It may be necessary to wait a few days for the results of the test, because the radiologist will need to read and interpret the images.
IV. PET Scan
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) shows how the cells in your body use simple sugars. To produce the images, a sugar tracer is first injected into the body through a vein. The machine monitors the small amount of energy released by the radioactive tracer to create the image. Active cancer cells use sugar faster than normal cells, so the cancer cells look brighter in the image.
PET is good at showing small groups of cancer cells.PET exams help show if ovarian cancer has spread. Sometimes, PET is combined with CT in what is called a PET-CT scan.
V. Chest X-ray (chest x-ray)
X-rays use a small amount of radiation to make pictures of organs and tissues in the body. Chest X-rays may be performed to show if cancer cells have spread to the lungs. When ovarian cancer is found or suspected, a chest x-ray is performed along with other initial tests. Chest radiographs are sometimes used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment and are painless during the examination.
VI. Gastroscopy
The digestive tract consists of the organs through which food passes during meals, including the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum. Gastroscopy is used to observe the condition of the digestive tract. In some cases, gastroscopy can be performed to detect the presence of cancer or the spread of cancer in the digestive tract. This imaging test looks inside the GI tract using an endoscope, which is a thin tube that can be introduced into the body, usually through the mouth, anus, or through a surgical incision. At the end of the endoscope is a small light and a camera lens to view the structures inside the body. At the other end is an eyepiece through which the surgeon views the images taken by the camera.