MRI Scan – Mesothelioma Tumor Diagnosis, Mesothelioma Cancer

The Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI Scan is an effective diagnostic tool for Mesothelioma cancer. This type of medical imaging uses a combination of radio waves and magnetic fields to produce images similar to that of an x-ray, but more clear and detailed.Like the CT scan, the MRI Scan is used to produce clear and detailed images of soft tissues in the body.

MRI Scans will use strong magnets and radio waves to take images of the body. The energy from the radio waves is absorbed by the body and is released in patterns formed by the different types of body tissues and certain diseases.

A computer translates these patterns into images which are then used for study. For a MRI Scan, patients are often injected with gadolinium, a type of contrast material, which is injected into the veins.

MRI Scans for Mesothelioma look at the diaphragm (muscle between lungs and abdominal cavity) which is a possible site of cancer. MRIs are useful in the detection of Mesothelioma by:

§  The indication of the exact location of Mesothelioma tumor.

§  Determining the extent of spread of tumor to the other parts if the body.

Mesothelioma MRI Scan Procedure

During an MRI, patients will be placed inside a large cylindrical machine that will surround a part of the patient’s body that is being scanned. MRI machines will emit electromagnetic waves at a radiofrequency that will cause certain body cells to first absorb and then release electromagnetic energy. The body cells releasing energy will create radiofrequencies that will be scanned by the MRI. Scanned images will then be turned into 3-dimensional, detailed images by the computer.