Spiral CT Scans for Lung Cancer Screening: Fact Sheet

Lung cancer, which is most frequently caused by cigarette smoking, is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, claiming almost 162,460 lives in 2006. Spiral computed tomography (CT or CAT) scans are being tested as a new way to find early lung cancer in smokers and former smokers. At present, however, questions remain about the technology's risks and benefits as a screening tool.

Promising evidence from several studies shows that the scans can detect small lung cancers. But detecting these early tumors has not been proven to reduce the likelihood of dying from lung cancer, the gold standard for any cancer screening test.

Diagnosing Headaches

A CT scan of the head may be recommended if you are getting daily or almost daily headaches.
A CT scan can help your doctor rule out other causes of headaches, such as:
- Brain tumor
- Abscess (an infection of the brain)
- Hydrocephalus (the abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain)
- Sinus blockage

For what purpose the CT imaging

CT imaging is:

- one of the best and fastest tools for studying the chest, abdomen and pelvis because it provides detailed, cross-sectional views of all types of tissue.

- often the preferred method for diagnosing many different cancers, including lung, liver and pancreatic cancer, since the image allows a physician to confirm the presence of a tumor and measure its size, precise location and the extent of the tumor's involvement with other nearby tissue.

Definition of Spiral CT scan

A conventional computerized axial tomography scan (CAT scan or CT scan) is an x-ray procedure which combines many x-ray images with the aid of a computer to generate cross-sectional views and, if needed, three-dimensional images of the internal organs and structures of the body. A CAT scan is used to define normal and abnormal structures in the body and/or assist in procedures by helping to accurately guide the placement of instruments or treatments.