Types of medical tests

Biopsy

A biopsy is a test that samples cells or tissue in order to examine it for disease. An entire lump or tumour can be removed by the biopsy, or just a small sample of tissue.

Biopsies are usually done to examine tissue for cancer, but can also identify many other conditions or help determine best therapy options. In the case of cancer, it is used to help identify whether the cancer has spread, assess the aggressiveness of it, and determine the severity of cancerous tumours and appropriate treatment.

X-ray

X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation that pass through the body and show shadow-like images of bones, some organs and signs of disease. A photographic plate captures a picture of the image to be examined. Dense material, for example bones, show up as white while less dense areas such as organs will be darker. It is most commonly used to look at fractured bones and can also be used to look at organs to identify problems such as infection in the lungs or tumours.

Endoscopy

Endoscopy is a procedure using a flexible tube with a camera attached to the front of it to look inside an organ. The camera enables the doctor to see the inside on a television screen and assist in moving the tube in the direction required. Small samples can be taken or growths removed.

Gastroscopy

Gastroscopy is an examination of the inside of the stomach. It is performed by using a thin, flexible fibre-optic instrument that is passed through the mouth. It is an effective way to assess for damage to the lining of the gullet and stomach for ulcers, wounds, irritation or tumours. The removal of growths or early stage tumours can also be done by the procedure and it is usually painless.

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is a procedure that examines the inside of the colon with a fiber optic camera on a flexible tube passed through the anus. It is usually done to examine the cause of some abdominal and colonic problems and usually looks for growths or signs of cancer.

CT scan

The CT scanner combines many images taken from different angles to create cross-sectional images. It gives a much more detailed image than an x-ray and can be used for most parts of the body. The scan is quick (takes less than five minutes) and is therefore often used in emergency rooms.

CT scans are used for various things, most commonly to assess internal injuries, bone injuries and for detecting cancer.

MRI scan

An MRI scan can be used as an extremely accurate method of disease detection throughout the body. The MRI scanner uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. The MRI scanner is a tube surrounded by a giant circular magnet. The patient is placed on a moveable bed that is inserted into the magnet. The scan takes about 30 minutes.

MRI scans are commonly used for soft tissue examination, such as ligament and tendon injuries, spinal cord injuries and brain tumours.

PET scan

PET scans use radiation to create detailed three-dimensional colour images of functional processes in the body. These enable the doctor to see how the organs and tissues are actually functioning.

The PET scan can measure vital functions. It can be used to look for cancer, heart disease, brain conditions and other central nervous system disorders. A PET scan can be used to identify a health condition and to assess how the condition is progressing. It can also be used to see how effective an ongoing treatment is.
PET scans differ from CT and MRI scans mainly in that they show changes in organs or tissues at cellular levels, before a disease or condition is fully developed and identifiable by other methods.

 

Sources
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www.myclevelandclinic.org
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www.medicalnewstoday.com
www.medicinenet.com
www.netdoctor.co.uk
www.news-medical.net
www.nhs.uk
www.rpop.iaea.org
www.webmd.com