NCLEX Review & Nursing School

DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER:

• computed tomography (CT) scans,
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• positron emission tomography (PET)
• ultrasound scans.

External-beam radiation therapy

• – delivered in the form of photon beams (either x-rays or gamma rays)

Tomotherapy
– Tomotherapy machines can capture CT images of the patient’s tumor immediately before treatment sessions, to allow for very precise tumor targeting and sparing of normal tissue.

Proton therapy
External-beam radiation therapy can be delivered by proton beams.

Internal radiation therapy

Brachytherapy
– radiation delivered from radiation sources (radioactive materials) placed inside or on the body.

In brachytherapy, radioactive isotopes are sealed in tiny pellets or “seeds.”

If left in place, after a few weeks or months, the isotopes decay completely and no longer give off radiation.

Remember: *Radioactive iodine (131I)- is used to diagnose (thyroid cancer)

Treatment of Cancer

Diagnostics

• X ray examination
• MRO (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
• Ultrasonography
• Tumor Markers
• Mammograhy
• Cytology Studies

Biopsy

• Needle
• Incisional
• Excisional

REMEMBER FOR THE NCLEX EXAM:

Liver– is the most common site of metastasis with gastrointestinal cancer.