TESTS AND PROCEDURES
During your Journey, your physician may order a variety
of tests. The purpose of these tests may be:
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Blood work/Labs
Your Oncologist will determine when you require a
blood test. The type of blood test and the frequency
at which they are drawn depends on different factors.
Examples of when you will have a blood test include:
This may involve (but is not limited to):
Routine Blood work
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Before treatment begins:
Information from a blood test before treatment
begins helps your health care team learn more about
your body’s baseline and may serve as a means of
comparison with blood tests repeated during and/ or
after treatment.
While you are undergoing chemotherapy:
It is important for your health care team to monitor the
effects of the therapy/treatment that you are receiving.
Some chemotherapy suppresses the bone marrow (a
condition where the bone marrow is unable to produce
the normal level of red blood cells, white blood cells
& platelets). Verifying blood test results before
treatment is a precaution that is taken to ensure safe
administration of chemotherapy.
White blood cells are cells in your blood that fight
infection in your body. Red blood cells are cells that
carry oxygen throughout your body. Platelets are
blood cells that help your blood to clot when you are
injured.
Medical Imagery
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Histological/cytological exams
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Here is a closer look at what these tests mean.
After treatment:
You will be followed by your Oncologist for some
time after treatment. During follow-up appointments,
your physician may order blood work to monitor your
progress/response to treatment (possibly in conjunction
with other tests).
Tumour markers:
A tumour marker is a substance found in the blood,
urine, or body tissues that can be elevated in cancer,
among other tissue types. There are many different tumour markers, and they are used in oncology to help
detect the presence of cancer. An elevated level of a
tumour marker could indicate cancer; however, there
can also be other causes of the elevation.
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Medical Imagery
X rays
An X ray is painless test that takes pictures of the inside
of your body. It is used to study various parts of your
body such as your bones, heart and lungs, etc.
Some CT scans require a contrast medium to
improve the quality of the image(s). The contrast
may be injected through a vein by a technician,
or you may be asked to drink a contrast solution;
depending on the body structure that is being
evaluated. You will be given specific instructions if
and when a CT scan is planned for you.
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A PET scan is based on the premise that cancer
cells/tumours use glucose at an accelerated rate
An ultrasound is a painless test which uses high
(compared to “normal” tissue). This nuclear
frequency sound waves to create an image of the
medicine test uses a form of radioactive sugar to
inside of your body. It can be used to examine blood
display the functioning of the body at the cellular
vessels and organs (e.g. liver, kidneys, or stomach) that
level.
need to be studied.
Ultrasound
Due to the very high cost of PET scan machines,
they are not readily available at all hospital centres
in Canada. Although not currently available at
St. Mary’s Hospital Center, patients requiring a PET
scan are referred to another hospital in the area
for the diagnostic test. The results are sent to your
treating physician and discussed with you once
available.
Scans
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A CT scan is an imaging test that uses special
x-ray technology to create a 3-dimensional image.
Similar to a loaf of sliced bread, your doctor can
study each of these slices separately or together.
Typically, a CT scan is ordered by the physician to
Specific instructions will be given to you about how
help get a closer look at internal structures such
to prepare for this test if and when your physician
as organs, tissues, bones, and/ or blood vessels.
requests a PET scan.
This information may help your physician make a
cancer diagnosis, to help guide treatment and/ or
the cancer’s response to treatment, or as a means s "/.%3#!.3
A bone scan is an imaging test that helps diagnose
of monitoring your progress after treatment.
and track several types of bone disease and
evaluate the entire skeleton. It is an important tool
for detecting cancer that has spread (metastasized)
to the bones.
During a bone scan, you will receive an injection of
a radioactive liquid into your vein. The radioactivity
is not strong enough to cause you any harm. The
liquid travels through your blood to the bones. As
it wears away, it gives off radiation. This radiation
is detected by a camera that slowly scans your
body. The camera takes pictures of how much of
the liquid has collected in your bones.
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CANCER CARE PROGRAM
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Depending on your chemotherapy treatment,
some medication could affect the heart muscle.
During your treatment, your doctor may request
monitoring of your cardiac function by means of
the MUGA scan.
This MUGA scan creates video images of your
heart ventricles to access proper heart muscle
functioning.
s MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI)
This test involves the use of powerful magnets and
radio waves to create a picture of a specific part of
your body. MRIs are used to give your treatment
team more information about the cancer. Unlike
x-ray and CT scans, MRI machines produce cross
sectional, three-dimensional images of the body
without using the use of radiation. The area that
is to be visualized is exposed to a strong magnetic
field (which aligns all of the atoms of the “targeted”
organ or area in one direction). An image is
generated when the magnet is deactivated and
the atoms return to their normal alignment. Your
physician may order an MRI if other diagnostic
tests are unclear, if the goal is to visualize “hard to
see” areas or if investigation of neurological tissue
is needed.
An MRI cannot be done if you have certain metal
devices such as a pacemaker as the powerful
magnetic force of the MRI machine could dislodge
the device. If your physician orders an MRI, you will
be given specific instructions as to how to prepare
for the test.
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49
Bone marrow aspiration (biopsy)
Bone marrow is a spongy substance found inside our
large bones, such as the femur (thigh), hips, and ribs.
It is made up of cells called hematopoietic stem cells.
Hematopoietic stem cells are “baby” cells that grow up
to become white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets.
The bone marrow acts as a greenhouse for these cells,
growing them and storing them until they are needed.
Unfortunately, sometimes cancer cells can find their way
into the bone marrow, making it difficult for the marrow
to do its job of producing healthy blood cells.
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CANCER CARE PROGRAM
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are tests to check
the function of your bone marrow or to check for the
presence of cancer cells. Bone marrow biopsy involves
using a needle to take a small sample of the bone and
marrow. You will be given a medication to freeze or
numb the area and a medication to relax if needed. If
your physician orders a bone marrow biopsy, you will
be given specific instructions as to how to prepare for
the test.