Cancer is one of the deadliest and most feared diseases in the world. It can be caused by various factors such as genetic mutations, environmental exposures, lifestyle choices, and infections, and doesn’t choose who to affect or when to strike.
While anyone, young or old, healthy or not, can get cancer, statistics show that the majority of victims are older adults, typically over the age of 50. Some of the common types of cancer include;
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Skin cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Leukaemia
What is an Ultrasound/ How it Works
Early cancer detection is key in cancer treatment, and thanks to technology, there are various ways for this procedure, including ultrasound.
As the name suggests, this is a test done to examine the internal structures of a body. It is commonly used during pregnancies to create real-time images of what’s happening inside the body.
During an ultrasound procedure, the doctor or medical professional applies a special ultrasound gel over the skin of the specific area they want to examine. He then uses a handheld transducer to capture the echoes that bounce back from the internal structures.
These echoes are converted into real-time images that the doctor can view from a monitor to examine the tissues or organs within the body.
Ultrasound can also be performed to;
- Check the fetus’s development, determine the due date, and monitor the health of the mother and baby during pregnancy.
- Detect abnormalities in organs such as the liver, kidneys, bladder, and gallbladder to identify tumours, cysts, and stones.
- Assess heart function.
- Examine muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints.
- Assess blood flow in arteries and veins.
- Breast examination.
Types of Ultrasound
Different Ultrasound tests use different techniques and can be categorised into different types depending on their applications. Some common types include;
Diagnostic ultrasound – This is used to examine internal organs, blood vessels, and tissues.
Doppler ultrasound – Used in assessing blood flow to detect blockages or abnormalities in blood vessels.
Echocardiogram – Focuses on the heart and its function.
Endoscopic ultrasound – This combines endoscopy and private ultrasound to obtain images of the digestive tract and surrounding tissues.
Can Ultrasound Detect Cancer?
Ultrasound is often used as the first step in cancer diagnosis. It can be a quick and cost-effective way of determining whether further tests should be carried out to confirm any presence of cancerous growth.
It is especially effective in detecting tumours that may have been missed by other imaging procedures, particularly in soft tissues.
The effectiveness of ultrasound in detecting cancer depends on several factors;
Location and size of the tumour
Ultrasound is more effective in detecting tumours that are closer to the surface of the body and organs that can easily be accessed, such as the breasts, thyroid gland, testicles, and uterus. This is because ultrasound waves do not penetrate deeply into the body, which limits their ability to produce images of the deep structures.
When it comes to the size of the tumours, ultrasound can generally detect larger tumours because they cause significant changes in the structure and density of the tissues and hence easier to identify.
Smaller tumours, especially in the early development stages may not make significant changes and therefore may be missed by ultrasound.
Type of Cancer
Some types of cancer are easily detectable by ultrasound. For example, cancers that develop in the breast or thyroid gland can easily be detected because they are easily accessible. On the other hand, some types of cancers, such as pancreatic cancer and ovarian cancer are hard to detect because they are located deep within the body and are surrounded by dense tissues.
Ultrasound waves can’t penetrate deeply into these areas and may also find it difficult to distinguish changes here, making it hard to identify these cancers early. This may need more advanced imaging methods such as CT scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), or PET scans (positron emission tomography), which provide detailed images of deeper tissues and organs.
The Skills and Experience of the Professional
The skills, experience, and expertise of the health specialist performing the ultrasound can greatly determine their ability to detect any signs of cancer through the procedure. More experienced professional are likely to interpret images accurately and identify suspicious organ and tissue changes that may be cancerous.
Patient Factors
Some patient factors, such as the size and shape of their body, also play a crucial role in detecting cancer through ultrasound. Other factors such as surgical scars, the presence of implants, or even their ability to hold still during the procedure can affect the quality of the images produced by ultrasound,
How Ultrasound Works with Other Diagnostic Methods in Cancer Detection
As earlier mentioned, ultrasound can effectively detect some types of cancerous tumours, or changes in organs and tissues that may indicate the development of cancer. However, it can’t really be the final determinant of the presence of cancer or not.
Professionals use it as a guide or preliminary tool before carrying out further tests to confirm the diagnosis. Additional tests may include biopsies, CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans, laboratory tests such as blood tests, or tumour markers to provide more detailed information about the abnormalities detected by ultrasound.
Here is how ultrasound works with the other methods;
Initial screening and detection – Ultrasound is often used first to check for cancers in easy-to-reach places and detect anything that may need further examination. Such places include the breasts, thyroid, and testicles.
Confirmatory imaging – If professionals find anything suspicious through ultrasound, they may perform more tests to provide clearer pictures of the tumour’s size, place, and details. Such tests may include mammograms (for breast cancer), CT scans, MRIs, or PET scans.
Biopsy – Ultrasound can guide biopsy procedures. It can help target the affected tissue for sampling, ensuring that the biopsy is performed on the area identified during imaging.
Monitoring and follow-up – After diagnosis and treatment, ultrasound can be used for monitoring the response of the treatment and assessing changes in the size and appearance of the tumour over time,
Combination imaging – In some cases, doctors may use different tests together to leverage the maximum strengths and effectiveness of different techniques. For example, it can be combined with MRI or PET-CT to comprehensively examine the complex tumours in those hard-to-see areas.
Patient-specific considerations – The methods used during ultrasound depend on the specific factors of an individual including the type of cancer, its location, the patient’s medical history, and overall health. Specialists use these factors to determine the most appropriate strategy for each individual case.
Advantages of Ultrasound in Detecting Cancer
While ultrasound cannot confirm the presence of cancer by itself, it offers multiple benefits. One of the advantages of this procedure is that it is non-invasive. This means that you don’t need any surgical interventions or procedures.
It also does not need the patient to be exposed to ionising radiation, which makes it generally safe and painless, especially for patients who need frequent follow-up imaging and monitoring.
Another advantage is that it provides real-time images. This allows doctors to see the tumours or changes immediately during the examination, which is especially crucial in ensuring accurate targeting in guiding procedures like needle biopsies.
While other imaging techniques like MRI and CT scans are expensive, ultrasound is highly cost-effective and widely available in medical facilities. This makes it the perfect and common choice for almost everyone. Its affordability is also why it is always used as a primary screening tool in many healthcare facilities.
Another benefit of ultrasound in cancer detection is its versatility. The procedure can be used to effectively evaluate a wide range of organs and tissues, including the liver, kidneys, and reproductive organs. It can assess soft tissues and detect changes, making it a versatile tool for detecting different types of cancers.
Patients always prefer a more comfortable procedure for their treatments if there is a choice. Generally, ultrasound examinations are comfortable and non-intimidating. The procedure can be fast and is often performed in outpatient settings. It also does not require extensive preparations or recovery time, contributing to patient convenience and satisfaction.
Limitations of Using Ultrasound for Cancer Detection
Like many other medical procedures, ultrasound also has its own downsides, particularly in cancer detection. Here are some limitations;
It highly depends on the operator – The accuracy of ultrasound images relies on how skilled and experienced the person operating the ultrasound machine is. Highly experienced operators are likely to get highly accurate results. Also, the different techniques used by different operators may sometimes lead to different results.
It doesn’t penetrate deep – Ultrasound waves can’t travel deeply through tissues and organs, making it harder to get clear images of certain parts.
Less detailed images – While ultrasound provides useful information, it may not show as much detail as other imaging methods like MRI or CT scans.
Possibility of inaccuracy – Ultrasound can occasionally show things that look like cancer but aren’t (false positives) or miss signs of cancer that are there (false negatives). This can cause unnecessary worry or delay in diagnosis.
Other Tests Used to Detect and Diagnose Cancer
Here are some other tests used to detect and diagnose cancer;
Blood Chemistry Test
As the name suggests, blood chemistry tests are performed on the blood. They measure the amount of certain substances that various body organs and tissues release into the blood. These substances may include proteins, fats, sugars, and electrolytes.
A blood test gives information on how well your organs, such as the kidneys and liver, are functioning. If these substances are too high or too low, it may be an indication that further tests are needed.
One of the common types of blood chemistry tests is Complete blood count (CBC). This measures the number of platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells in your blood, as well as the amount of haemoglobin, and can help diagnose cancers such as leukaemia.
Tumor Marker Tests
Tumor marker tests measure substances produced by body cells in response to cancer. Tumor markers may be produced by normal cells but are often highly produced by cancer cells.
Imaging tests
Other imaging tests used in cancer detection include ultrasounds, CT scans, MRI, Nuclear scans, Bone scans, PET scans, and X-rays. While they all use different devices and procedures, they work by showing images of different areas within the body, allowing doctors to see any deformities or changes that may potentially indicate the presence of a tumour.
Biopsy
Biopsy is often needed in many cases to confirm that a patient has cancer. During this procedure, the doctor removes a small piece of the abnormal tissue and uses it as a sample test. He can take a closer look at it under a microscope and run other tests on it, then add his findings to your diagnosis report. These findings can help you decide on the next steps to take and the best treatment options for you.
Urinalysis
Urinalysis is often done to measure the contents of your urine, including white blood cells, red blood cells, sugar, and protein, and to describe its colour. It can help diagnose certain types of cancers, such as rare urothelial cancers, kidney cancer, and bladder cancer.
Urine cytology is another test that identifies abnormal cells shed in the urine. It can help detect kidney, bladder, and other rare urothelial cancers. After cancer treatment, urine cytology can also be used to monitor the response to treatment and watch for any signs of recurrence.
Summary
So, can ultrasound detect cancer?
The answer is yes. However, it depends on different factors, such as the tumour’s location, size, and the type of tissue it affects. Ultrasound can be combined with other techniques, such as MRI, CT scans, or biopsies, for more effective diagnosis. Better still, multiple other ways to detect cancer include mammography, PET scans, and blood tests.
All these scans and tests should be performed by a qualified medical professional. If you have any suspicions or doubts, visiting a reputable clinic for further evaluations and appropriate treatment plans is important.
