CT+Scans

CT stands for Computed tomography.
 * // What is a CT? //**

A patient lies in a scanner that looks like a large doughnut. X-rays beams are sent out into the body and there strength is measure. For example, beams that pass through a less dense tissue will be stronger and one that passes through a weak dense tissue will be weaker. A computer analyzes this data and can display them as 2D or 3D images. [1] Most doctors would not recommend a CT without a good reason because a lot of x-rays are involved. [1]
 * // How does CT work? //**
 * // Risks for CT? //**

CT has the unique capability to take an image of the pelvis and entire abdomen; that is why it is great to use for initial diagnose of pancreatic cancer. Additionally, when the tumor is visible on the pancreas CT can guide FNA (fine-needle aspirations). Lastly, CT has been improving at an extremely fast past; images are coming in clearer and in 3D. [2]
 * // Why use CT? //**

o Extremely useful in initial diagnoses of the pancreatic cancer. || o Malignancy cannot be detected with a CT[3] o Small tumors (less than 3cm) can still be missed even with the must advanced CT machines available on the market. [2] || CT is a great option to use when initially diagnosing pancreatic cancer because usually an inflamed pancreas when can possibly mean cancer. CT scans downfall is that it cannot detect malignancy or smaller tumors on the pancreas. Another downfall is that because CT scans contain so much X-rays, a patient wouldn’t want that much radiation happening every couple of months just for random screening, which in worse case scenario lead to cancer. However, recently CT scans have been rapidly improving and with new and upcoming technology such as helical and spiral CT scans, so in the future with improvements CT could be a leading option in detecting the cancer.
 * ** Strengths ** || ** Weaknesses ** ||
 * o Future refinements of CT such as respiratory-gated or 4-D imaging may lead to far better detection. [3]
 * // Final Recommendations: //**

[1] S. Burnett, A. J. Munro, and J. Pillinger, "CT Scan." vol. 2010, 2005. [2] R. A. Erickson, C. R. Larson, and M. Shabahang, "Pancreatic Cancer: Differential Diagnoses and Workup." vol. 2010 Galveston, Tx: eMedicine, 2009. [3] J. D. Horwhat, H. Gerke, R. D. Acosta, D. A. Pavey, and P. S. Jowell, "Focal or diffuse "fullness" of the pancreas on CT. Usually benign, but EUS plus/minus FNA is warranted to identify malignancy," //JOP: Journal Of The Pancreas,// vol. 10, pp. 37-42, 2009.