Diagnostic Examination

CANCER Dr. Anthoiny P. Toledo, MD, RN Diagnostic Examinations Diagnostic Examinations are done to: ‫ ﭻ‬1. Determine the presence of tumor and its extent. ‫ ﭻ‬2. Identify possible spread (metastasis) of disease or invasion of other body tissues. ‫ ﭻ‬3. Evaluate the function of involved and uninvolved body systems and organs. ‫ ﭻ‬4. Obtain tissue and cells for analysis, including evaluation of tumor stage and grade.

Tumor Marker Identification

‫ ﭺ‬Description: Analysis of substances found in blood or other body fluids that are made by the tumor or by in response to tumor ‫ﭺ‬ ‫ﭺ‬ ‫ﭺ‬ ‫ﭺ‬ ‫ﭺ‬ ‫ﭺ‬ ‫ﭺ‬

Diagnostic Uses: Breast Colon Lung Ovarian Testicular Prostate Cancer

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) ‫ ﭽ‬Description: Use of magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to create sectioned images of various body structures. ‫ﭽ‬ ‫ﭽ‬ ‫ﭽ‬ ‫ﭽ‬ ‫ﭽ‬

Diagnostic Uses: Neurologic Pelvic Abdominal Thoracic Cancers

Computed Tomography (CT)  Description: Use of narrow-beam x-ray to scan successive layers of tissue for cross-sectional view.  Diagnostic Uses:  Neurologic  Pelvic  Skeletal  Abdominal  Thoracic Cancers

Fluroscopy  Description: Uses of X-ray that identify contrast in body tissue densities; may involve the use of contrast agents.    

Diagnostic Uses: Skeletal Lung Gastrointestinal Cancers

Endoscopy ‫ ﺕ‬Description: Direct visualization of body cavity or passageway by insertion of an endoscope into the body cavity or opening; allows tissue biopsy, fluid aspiration, and excision of small tumors; both diagnostic and therapeutic. Diagnostic Uses: ‫ ﺕ‬Bronchial ‫ ﺕ‬Gastrointestinal Cancers ‫ﺕ‬

Nuclear Medicine Imaging ۞ Description: Uses intravenous injection or ingestion of radioisotope substances followed by imaging of tissues that have concentrated the radioisotopes. ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞

Diagnostic Uses: Bone Liver Kidney Spleen Brain Thyroid Cancers

Positron Emission Tomography ( PET) ۩ Description: Through the use of a tracer; provides black and white or color-coded images of the biologic activity of a particular area, rather than it’s structure; used in detection of cancer or it’s response to treatment. ۩ Diagnostic Uses: ۩ Lung ۩ Colon ۩ Liver ۩ Pancreatic ۩ Head and Neck ۩ Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin ۩ Lymphoma and Melanoma Cancers

PET Fusion ‫ ۝‬Description: Use of a PET scanner and a CT scanner in one machine to provide an image combining anatomic detail, spatial resolution, and functional metabolic abnormalities. ‫ ۝‬Diagnostic Uses: ‫۝‬ The same as PET.

Radioimmunoconjugates ‫ ﭹ‬Description: Monoclonal antibodies are labeled with a radioisotope and injected intravenously into the patient; the antibodies that aggregate at the tumor site are visualized with scanner. ‫ﭹ‬ ‫ﭹ‬ ‫ﭹ‬ ‫ﭹ‬ ‫ﭹ‬ ‫ﭹ‬

Diagnostic Uses: Colorectal Breast Ovarian Head and Neck Lymphoma and Melanoma Cancers

Nursing Responsibilities:

‫ ﺖ‬Have a complete history and physical examination. ‫ ﺖ‬Relieve patients anxiety through: *Explaining the test to be performed. *The sensations likely to be experienced. *Patients role in the test procedure. ‫ ﺖ‬Encourage the patient and family to voice their fears about test results. ‫ ﺖ‬Support the family throughout the test period. ‫ ﺖ‬Reinforce and clarify information conveyed by the physician. ‫ ﺖ‬Encourage patient and family to communicate and share concerns and to discuss their questions and concerns with each other.