Medical Imaging

Imaging is essential in gynaecological oncology to assess tumours. Different medical imaging techniques may be recommended for one patient. The reason for this apparent “over-imaging” is that the different techniques give complementary information, that (put together) provide comprehensive information that influences a patient’s management.

Ultrasound is widely used for the scanning of ovarian and pelvic masses to triage patients who require surgery or not. The quality of the ultrasound determines its usefulness.

CT scanning uses X-ray technique and is used for almost all patients who require surgery for gynaecological cancer preoperatively. It provides necessary information about the possible extent of the disease. This information will then guide the patient’s surgical management. CT scanning is also valuable in the follow up of patients who previously had treatment for gynaecological cancer. One CT scan uses the radiation dose of 7 Chest X-Rays and therefore those scans need to be requested mindfully.

PET/CT has become immensely valuable for the management of cervical and ovarian cancer. It is extremely useful for the treatment planning of cervical cancer and for the follow up of ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, Medicare reimburses PET/CT only in certain circumstances for those two tumours but PET/CTs for other indications can be requested at the patient’s own cost. 

MRI scans have been proven magnificent in the management of pregnant patients with cancer, in the management of patients with cervical cancer and in patients with large fibroid uterus and bleeding disorders.