Cancer Detection with an MRI Scan
MRI scanning helps doctors find a tumor, determine the stage of a cancer, and also plan effective cancer treatments. Modern imaging technologies are advancing beyond many conventional medical imaging techniques, bringing more benefits to physicians and patients. One such technique is Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) that uses a powerful magnetic field, a computer and radio waves to produce clear pictures of the internal organs, bones, soft tissues and other internal body structures. Beyond detecting fractures, this system can effectively detect cancer, that is, some types of brain tumors, primary bone tumors, soft tissue sarcomas and the tumors affecting the spinal cord. If you are planning to do MRI scanning in Rego Park, NY area, make sure to choose a reputable and certified medical imaging center that uses state-of-the-art MRI technology to produce high-quality images.
MRI technology can improve diagnoses, limit unnecessary medical procedures, reduce the length of hospital stays, guide treatment of diverse conditions, determine when surgeries are necessary and enhance treatment. This scanning can be used on most areas of the body; for some parts of the body and tissues it can produce clearer results than a CT scan. An MRI scan can be used to:
Find a tumor Determine if a tumor is non-cancerous or cancerous Stage a cancer, to find out how big it is and whether it has spread Measure blood flow Help doctors plan and monitor the cancer treatment, like surgery or radiation
According to Cancer.Net, MRI scan does not use any forms of radiation such as x-rays and CTscan, so, it is often used to look for problems in the female and male reproductive systems. It is generally safe, even for pregnant women. MRI is also used to take images of the brain, spinal column, abdomen, and chest, including the breast. The standard MRI machine has a narrow, tunnel-like opening that holds a large, very strong magnet and the machine surrounds you with a powerful magnetic field. The machine uses this field and a burst of radiofrequency waves to pick up signals from the nuclei (centers) of hydrogen atoms in your body. A computer converts these signals into a black and white picture, where stronger signals give clearer pictures. This imaging test is painless and generally takes 30-60 minutes. Even though no special preparations are necessary to get ready for this test, it is very important to tell your physician and scanner staff about any operations you have had before and whether you have any metal
(718) 507-4700
www.middlevillageradiology.com
implants in your body, as the strong magnetism used in MRI could affect any metal in your body. Metal types include:
Pacemakers or an implantable defibrillator Surgical clips, pins or plates Cochlear implants Metal fragments anywhere in your body – for example from an injury If you've ever worked with metal or in the metal industry, then that should be discussed with your doctor because sometimes very tiny fragments of metal can get lodged in the body. Your doctor and radiographer would decide if an MRI is safe for you in such conditions. A trained radiologist or a radiologic technologist can perform MRI in a hospital’s radiology department or in an outpatient medical imaging center. Some people are given an injection of dye called a contrast medium before the scan to make the images clearer. After your MRI, you may return to your usual activities that include driving, unless you were given a sedative.
(718) 507-4700
www.middlevillageradiology.com