Molecular Imaging: New Technology to Fight Cancer
A new approach to stage 4 cancer treatment involves molecular imaging. This technology allows doctors to precisely target the most aggressive cancer cells by using a powerful scan that combines a traditional CT with 3-D positron emission tomography (PET) .
Being able to identify the most dangerous cancer cells allows doctors to perform accurate biopsies and significantly reduce the amount of radiation and chemotherapy treatments needed.
What to Do When Cancer Looks Like Something Else
Although not something that commonly occurs, sometimes other ailments or conditions mask cancer detection. Take the case of Samantha Beaven, a British mother of two, who had cancer symptoms mistaken for pregnancy complications. She eventually died because her cancer was misdiagnosed.
Lung cancer can sometimes be misdiagnosed as pneumonia, brain cancer can be masked by migraine headaches, and breast cancer can be mistaken for calcium deposits in the breast. Once again, these misdiagnosis are rare occurrences, but they do happen and this possibility is something you should be aware of whenever you are diagnosed with an important health issue.
Videos – What Do Patients Say About Their Experience?
Watch videos of patients who share their own experiences at the Issels clinics with you. Listen to their stories and cancer journeys.
|