What Is This Scan?

Oncology CT is specialised CT imaging used in the detection, diagnosis, staging, treatment planning and ongoing monitoring of cancer.

CT provides detailed images of the organs, lymph nodes, bones and other structures throughout the body and is one of the most important imaging tools used in modern cancer care.

Depending on the type of cancer and the clinical question, the examination may include the:

• Head and neck
• Chest
• Abdomen

Pelvis

• Other specific areas of concern

Many oncology examinations involve CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis to assess multiple areas of the body during a single examination.

At IMPACT Radiology, oncology CT examinations can be tailored to the individual cancer type and clinical question, including specialised or multiphasic CT protocols where required.

Conditions We Commonly Assess

• Oncology CT is used in the assessment of many different cancers, including:
• Head and neck cancers
• Lung cancer
• Breast cancer
• Colorectal and bowel cancer
• Stomach and oesophageal cancers
• Prostate cancer
• Melanoma
• Lymphoma
• Ovarian cancer
• Endometrial and other gynaecological cancers
• Pancreatic cancer
• Liver cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Bladder and urinary tract cancers
• Thyroid cancer
• Sarcoma
• Metastatic disease
• Cancer of unknown primary
• And many more.
• How Is CT Used in Cancer Care?
• Cancer Detection

CT can identify suspicious masses or other abnormalities that may represent cancer.

It is commonly used to investigate symptoms, abnormal blood tests or abnormalities identified on X-ray, ultrasound or another imaging examination.

• Cancer Staging
• Once cancer has been diagnosed, CT can help determine:
• The size and location of the primary tumour
• Whether nearby structures are involved
• Whether lymph nodes are enlarged or abnormal
• Whether cancer has spread to other organs
• Whether metastatic disease is present

This information helps your treating team determine the stage of the cancer and the most appropriate treatment.

• Treatment Planning
• CT can provide important anatomical information before:
• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• Other cancer treatments

In selected patients, CT may also help identify an appropriate and safe site for an image-guided biopsy.

• Monitoring Treatment Response
• Follow-up CT examinations can determine whether a cancer is:
• Decreasing in size
• Stable
• Increasing in size
• Developing new areas of disease

Comparison with previous imaging is particularly important when assessing treatment response.

• Cancer Surveillance
• After treatment, CT may be performed periodically to look for:
• Cancer recurrence
• New metastatic disease
• Changes at the previous treatment site
• Late complications of treatment
• Assessing Cancer-Related Complications
• CT is also important for identifying complications associated with cancer or its treatment, including:
• Infection
• Bowel obstruction
• Urinary obstruction
• Blood clots
• Pleural or abdominal fluid
• Pathological fractures
• Organ compression
• Treatment-related inflammation
• Post-operative complications

Why Might My Doctor Request This Scan?

• Your doctor may recommend an Oncology CT for:
• Investigation of suspected cancer
• Further assessment of an abnormality found on another scan
• Newly diagnosed cancer
• Cancer staging
• Pre-treatment assessment
• Surgical or treatment planning
• Monitoring response to treatment
• Surveillance following treatment
• Investigation of possible cancer recurrence
• Investigation of suspected metastatic disease
• Assessment of new symptoms in a patient with cancer
• Investigation of complications related to cancer or its treatment
• Specialised Oncology CT Protocols

Different cancers require different imaging techniques. A routine CT protocol may not always provide the optimal assessment for a particular tumour.

At IMPACT Radiology, the examination can be tailored to the cancer type and clinical question.

• Specialised protocols may include:
• Multiphasic Liver CT – for detailed assessment of primary and secondary liver tumours
• Pancreatic Protocol CT – for pancreatic tumours and assessment of surrounding blood vessels
• Renal Protocol CT – for characterisation and staging of kidney tumours
• Adrenal CT – for characterisation of indeterminate adrenal lesions
• CT Urogram / CT IVP – for cancers involving the kidneys, ureters and bladder
• CT Angiography – where detailed assessment of tumour involvement with major blood vessels is required
• Head & Neck CT – for assessment and staging of head and neck malignancies

Our radiologists/ radiographers select the most appropriate protocol based on the information provided by your referring practitioner and relevant previous imaging.

Preparation

Preparation depends on the body region being examined and whether intravenous or oral contrast is required.

Majority of oncology CT examinations require intravenous contrast.

You may be asked to fast for several hours before your examination.

Oral contrast may occasionally be required for particular abdominal or pelvic examinations.

Please inform our staff if you have significant kidney disease.

Please tell us if you have previously experienced a reaction to CT contrast.

Please bring or provide details of relevant previous imaging if it was performed outside our usual accessible imaging networks.

You will be provided with specific preparation instructions for your examination.

What Happens During the Scan?

You will lie comfortably on the CT table, usually on your back.

If intravenous contrast is required, a small cannula will be inserted into a vein, usually in your arm.

When contrast is injected, you may briefly experience a warm sensation or metallic taste. This is common and usually passes quickly.

For many oncology examinations, images are obtained through the chest, abdomen and pelvis. Other areas may be included depending on your cancer type and clinical circumstances.

You will be asked to hold your breath briefly while some images are acquired.

Depending on the cancer being assessed, images may be obtained at specific times following contrast administration.

Most oncology CT examinations are completed within approximately 10–15 minutes.