Mesothelioma Radiology

Imaging scans are one of the primary means of diagnosing mesothelioma. The field of medicine that employs imaging tests such as ultrasounds, X-rays, CT scans, PET scans and MRIs is known as radiology.

What is Mesothelioma Radiology Used For?

Images developed from a mesothelioma radiology scan can tell a doctor the size and location of any tumors as well as whether the tumor has spread to any other area of the body. Not only can this technology be used to diagnose the cancer, but it can also track the effects of treatment by noting if the tumor has shrunk or completely disappeared. Additionally, imaging scans be used periodically after a completed course of treatment to find out if a tumor has returned after removal.

Mesothelioma Radiologist and Radiology Technicians

A radiologist is a doctor specially trained to analyze the results of an imaging scan. They identify cellular abnormalities, diagnose the associated diseases and help label the stage of the cancer. After interpreting the test results, a mesothelioma radiologist will explain the information to the patient.

Depending on each patient's diagnosis, they may be referred to a specific type of radiologist. For example, pleural mesothelioma patients may visit a radiologist who specializes in chest diseases, while those with mesothelioma in the abdomen may see a gastrointestinal radiologist.

Additionally, radiologists can specialize in a specific machine. Some may exclusively study CT scan results, others may specialize in MRI scans and others may focus on the results of PET imaging. As a result, patients may see multiple radiologists over the course of treatment, yet this is not always the case.

Imaging scans are usually set up and run by another medical professional called a radiology technician, who only carries out the radiologist's instructions for completing the imaging test.