THE ROLE OF CT IN THE EARLY DETECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF CANCERS

Abstract

The early detection and accurate characterization of cancers are critical to improving patient prognosis and treatment outcomes. This thesis explores the role of computed tomography (CT) in the early identification and characterization of various cancer types, including lung, colorectal, breast, and liver cancers. Using both retrospective and prospective analyses, this study examines how CT imaging techniques, including multi-phase contrast-enhanced scans and high-resolution imaging, contribute to the early diagnosis of tumors at various stages. The research highlights the ability of CT to detect tumors that are not visible through traditional clinical examination or other imaging methods, especially in the early stages of cancer development. Additionally, the study evaluates the effectiveness of CT in determining the size, location, and characteristics of tumors, which are essential for staging, treatment planning, and monitoring the response to therapy. The findings indicate that while CT is a valuable tool in cancer detection, its use is often enhanced when combined with other imaging modalities, such as MRI and PET scans, to provide a more comprehensive diagnostic picture. Overall, this thesis underscores the significance of CT in improving cancer diagnosis and outlines potential areas for enhancing CT imaging technology for even earlier detection and more accurate characterization of cancers. Conclusion: Early cancer detection when treatment results are better has been made possible by the use of low-dose CT in high-risk groups, such as smokers and people with a family history of cancer. CT aids in tumor characterisation by offering comprehensive anatomical details regarding the location, size, and shape of the tumor. This helps differentiate between benign and malignant tumors, which is important for prognosis and therapy planning. CT scans are now more sensitive and precise, making it possible to see tiny tumors and metastases more clearly. CT may be crucial in determining the precise features of cancers, such as their molecular and genetic profiles, as the area of customized treatment develops. Better results for cancer patients and more specialized treatments may result from this. Developments in multi-organ screening may broaden the use of CT as a method for concurrently identifying many malignancies. Eventually, improved patient outcomes, earlier treatment choices, and higher survival rates for cancer patients worldwide will result from advancing early cancer diagnosis through technical advancements, particularly in the field of CT imaging.