Info
CT (computed tomography)
An X-ray imaging investigation that produces detailed images of the body. It helps locate tumors, assess how far the disease has spread and monitor the response to treatment.
What it means
An imaging investigation carried out with X-rays that produces cross-sectional images of the body. It helps locate and assess the size of the tumor, check for spread to the lymph nodes and plan treatment.
In short
An X-ray imaging investigation that produces detailed images of the body. It helps locate tumors, assess how far the disease has spread and monitor the response to treatment.
Where you will see it
Requested by the oncologist or doctor for staging, monitoring or investigating symptoms. The report describes the size of any masses and the state of the lymph nodes and organs.
What it does not tell you on its own
A CT scan shows anatomical changes, but on its own it cannot establish whether a mass is malignant or benign. Sometimes a biopsy is needed.
Questions for your doctor
- What does the CT scan show in my case?
- Have the sizes changed compared with the previous CT scan?
- Are the lymph nodes or other organs involved?
- Is contrast dye needed?
Related terms
The terms below often appear alongside this one. Each definition is right here, so you do not have to look elsewhere.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
- An imaging investigation that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed images of the organs. It does not use ionising radiation. It is useful for assessing the brain, the spinal cord, the prostate and soft tissues.
- PET-CT (positron emission tomography)
- A combined investigation that joins metabolic information (PET) with anatomical detail (CT). It shows which cells are very active (consuming a lot of glucose) and helps detect the spread of the disease, identify small nodules and assess the response to treatment.
- Biopsy
- Taking a small sample of tissue or cells from the body to be examined under the microscope. It is the main method of confirming the diagnosis in oncology. The procedure is usually done under local anaesthetic and takes only a short time.
- Metastasis
- The spread of cancer cells from the site of origin to other organs or tissues. Metastases show that the disease has spread to distant sites and they influence the stage, the prognosis and the type of treatment recommended.
Other terms in “Diagnosis”
Glossary definitions are written for patients by the OncoDots team and go through internal medical review. They explain terms; they do not establish a diagnosis and do not recommend a treatment.