Keep track of cancer in the brain - MRI

Keep track of cancer in the brain - Ratings (staging) of cancer needs to be done to determine the type of treatment will be applied. In my case, of five of the most common cancer in the rating, already among the other four are known, the cell type, primary tumor location, size and number of primary tumor and spread to nearby lymph nodes. Just one thing that is not yet known metastasis or spread to other organs.

I think track cancer cells throughout the body more easily done with a PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography Scan). In this way cancer cells baited charged radioisotopes that can be tracked using a special camera. With one scan of the cancer cells wherever it can be immediately traced. Unfortunately examination with PET scan cost is still very expensive, and time (year 2007) PET Scan not exist in Indonesia. Tracking cancer in my body starts with MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to track the spread in the brain. It is said that for soft tissues such as brain, the use of MRI is more effective than CT scans.

Unlike the X-ray-based CT Scan, MRI uses magnets and radio waves, the way it works is too complex to be understood. Tools like CT scans, only longer so resembles a large tube with a bed in the middle.

Before the examination I had to fill out a form that contains several questions including whether the installation of metal had to undergo surgery such as bone connective pen, a pacemaker, clip etc.. I have to change clothes with the mantle that has been provided, leaving watches, belts, rings and wallet in a locker. Because this tool uses a powerful magnet, then objects made of metal can be sucked towards him. After the ears are covered head-phones and head-like device inserted into the cage, the officers left me lying alone in the tube.

Of head phones sounded soft instrumental songs. Shortly after the officer gave orders to keep me moving, sounding tubes started humming, growing louder and louder and even then overlaid also with clanking sound. I was afraid, lest the tool is broken and suddenly exploded. But apparently correct paramedic was familiar with these signs. I heard through head phones he told me to remain motionless, and explained that the voice which I heard a tumult was normal.

I think the examination was over when the noises began to subside, but apparently not. A paramedic entered the room and injected with fluid to make the image more contrast. Proses repeated. MRI examination is finished I returned to the ward, because it still needed some more checks.

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Bone scan - Tracking cancer in the bone

Bone scan - Tracking cancer in the bone | Tracking of cancer in the bones using the Bone Scan. This tool is part of the development of nuclear medicine. As far as I am in Jakarta only in four hospitals, including Pertamina Hospital Center, where I was referred for bone scanning performed. It seems to work similar to a bone scan PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography Scan), in terms of detection of cellular metabolism. Difference if the PET Scan cancer cells fed glucose-charged radio-isotopes for metabolic activity (eating), on the radio isotope bone scan (tracer) is used to track metabolic activity of bone cells.

At a certain incident that resulted in damage to the bone, the bone cells will be busy divide to replace damaged cells. This activity makes bone cells absorb the tracer-laden foods are more than the cells of healthy bones. Tracer that emits radioactive signals is then to be monitored using a special camera (gamma camera). Which found high concentrations of tracer (hot spots), you can bet there are abnormalities of bone.

Cancer cells found in bone also will reveal a hot spot, because cancer cells divide faster and eat more than normal cells. Tracer that was caught on camera in order to actually comes from the bone, then the required time (3 hours) and plenty of water to dissolve the tracer in soft tissue. In soft tissue tracer is more soluble than in the bone. Although the activity of bone cells can also be caused by other things such as arthritis and various infections, but if it has previously found the existence of cancer cells such as my case, it should be suspected spread of cancer to bone.

The main tool bone scan consists of a pair of gamma cameras mounted on two arms of the movable track throughout the body. While other equipment in the form of a set of computers that will change the signal from a gamma camera images. Before the scan was performed, first radioactive substance is injected through a vein in the arm. In order to percolate into the bone takes about two and a half to three hours.

During that time I have a lot to drink so that radioactive substances are not needed immediately dissolve. Shortly before the scan is done I have to pee, so radioactive that collects in the bladder does not give the wrong picture. Scanning process begins by creating a pattern of following the trajectory of the gamma camera's curves, so that the camera came with a distance less than 5cm from the surface of the body. The scanning process lasts approximately 20 minutes.

After waiting for about 15 minutes, then the result can be seen that there are activities in which the ribs 8 and 9 (costae VIII and IX). In the ambulance that took me back to the hospital where treated, though had joked with the nurse who drove me, I feel sad that in fact the cancer had spread to my ribs. [cancer]

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