One of the most useful diagnostic tests for cancer is the use of imagining systems such as follows:
–Radiographs/XRays: are very useful in describing the density of bone. Where cancer has infiltrated bone, the image will not appear as white as normal bone. A disadvantage of xrays is that not much can be determined about soft tissues.
–Sonography: use sound waves to determine whether a mass is solid (which will appear whiter).
–Computer Tomography (CT): or CAT scans use serial X-rays to reconstruct a 3D image of tissue.
–Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): (see right hand panel)