Diagnostic tests
Ramsay offer a range of diagnostic tests:
CT scans
A CT scan is basically a
series of X-rays taken in quick succession which can be put
together to form a very detailed picture of the inside of your
body. This can help diagnose cancer and show how close it is to
other organs. You will have to lie on a couch which passes through
the middle of the circular scanner. In some cases, you will be
given a drink containing a dye which shows up your body organs more
clearly. The results of your scan will be interpreted by a
radiologist who will then discuss the findings with your
doctor.
MRI scans
These use magnetism to build up a picture of what is going on
inside your body. For some cases they can provide an extremely
detailed and clear picture of the size of the tumour and the extent
to which it has spread, which will help your doctors decide on the
most appropriate treatment. An MRI scan will take from half an hour
to 90 minutes to complete; they are painless but some people find
the noise and the sense of being enclosed unpleasant. You may be
asked to drink a liquid containing a dye which will allow the
organs to be seen more clearly.
Ultrasound
This uses sound waves to ‘see’ your organs. A microphone is
passed over the part of the body to be scanned and the returning
sound waves are feed into a computer which then builds up an image
of your internal organs and tissues. Occasionally the microphone
needs to be inserted into your body to get a better picture - this
can be the case when the prostate or ovaries need to be visualised,
for example.
Endoscopy
This means to look inside - and that is precisely what
endoscopes do. They are flexible tubes fitted with a camera which
can be inserted into the body to look at areas which are causing
concern. Most commonly they are used to look at the colon and bowel
(colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy) or down the throat. You may be
offered a sedative while the procedure is carried out but will
normally be able to go home after a short recovery period.
Blood tests
Your doctor may want you to have blood tests as you are being
diagnosed and also during treatment. Your blood can be a good
indicator of your general health as well as your particular
condition. Some specialist tests look for specific tumour markers
in your blood - these are proteins produced either by tumours or in
response to them. The results of these tests will be used by your
doctor in conjunction with other information; a high level of a
marker does not automatically mean you have cancer. Tumour markers
can be useful in monitoring how you are responding to treatment and
your doctors may want to test you regularly.
PSA testing
Prostate specific antigen is a protein produced by cells in the
prostate. An elevated level of PSA in a blood sample can indicate
prostate cancer - although high levels are also caused by other
benign conditions and levels are generally higher with age. A
rising level after treatment for cancer can be an indication that
cancer has returned. But PSA levels can be difficult to interpret
with any certainty and your doctors may want to consider them along
other clinical and diagnostic evidence.
Contact us
Ramsay hospitals offers a range of screening and diagnostic
procedures at a time convenient to you, and also offers treatment
for some of the most common types of cancer. We offer the support
of multi-disciplinary teams who will be working together to ensure
you get the care which is right for you.
If you would like to discuss possible tests or treatment
contact
us.