During planning and treatment, you may need to have some of the following tests to show the exact position and shape of the cancer. Your treatment team will explain what to expect from each test, or you can call Cancer Council 13 11 20 for more information.
X-ray
- low energy beams of radiation pass through the body and create an image on x‑ray film
- you hold still while a machine takes images
- learn more about x-rays
Ultrasound
- uses soundwaves to create pictures of internal organs
- a small device called a transducer sends out the soundwaves as it is moved over an area of your body
- learn more about ultrasounds
CT scan (computerised tomography)
- uses x‑ray beams and a computer to create detailed pictures of the inside of the body
- before the scan, you may have an injection of dye into one of your veins to make the pictures clearer
- you lie on a table that moves in and out of the scanner
- learn more about CT scans
PET scan (positron emission tomography)
- uses a low‑dose radioactive solution to measure cell activity in different parts of the body
- before a PET scan, you will be injected with a solution containing a small amount of radioactive material
- cancer cells absorb more of the solution and show up brighter on the scan
- combines a PET scan and a CT scan in one machine to provide more detailed information about the cancer
PET–CT scan
- combines a PET scan and a CT scan in one machine to provide more detailed information about the cancer
- learn more about PET-CT scans
MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging)
- uses a magnet and radio waves to build up detailed pictures of an area of the body
- before the scan, a dye may be injected into a vein to make the pictures clearer
- you will lie on a table that slides into a large metal tube
- learn more about MRI scans
Before having scans, tell the doctor if you have any allergies or have had a reaction to dyes during previous scans. You should also let them know if you have diabetes or kidney disease or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
→ READ MORE: Specialised types of EBRT
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Key resource
Download a PDF booklet on this topic.
More resources
A/Prof Susan Carroll, Senior Staff Specialist, Radiation Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, and The University of Sydney, NSW; Katie Benton, Advanced Dietitian Oncology, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, QLD; Adrian Gibbs, Director of Physics, Radiation Oncology, Princess Alexandra Hospital Raymond Terrace, QLD; Sinead Hanley, Consumer; Dr Annie Ho, Radiation Oncologist, GenesisCare, Macquarie University Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital, NSW; Angelo Katsilis, Clinical Manager Radiation Therapist, Department of Radiation Oncology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA; Candice Kwet-On, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria; Jasmine Nguyen, Radiation Therapist, GenesisCare Hollywood, WA; Graham Rees, Consumer; Nicole Shackleton, Radiation Therapist, GenesisCare Murdoch, WA; Dr Tom Shakespeare, Director, Cancer Services, Mid North Coast Local Health District, NSW; Gabrielle Vigar, Nurse Lead, Cancer Program, Royal Adelaide Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, SA.
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