Can waist CT detect bone cancer?

Lumbar CT can assist in the diagnosis of bone cancer, but it is not the only means of diagnosis and needs to be combined with other examinations for comprehensive judgment. The diagnosis of bone cancer usually requires imaging examination, pathological biopsy and laboratory examination.

1. The role of lumbar CT in the diagnosis of bone cancer

Lumbar CT scans can clearly show the morphology, density and structure of bones, and are helpful in detecting bone tumors, bone destruction or abnormal proliferation. CT scans can detect early lesions of bone cancer, such as bone destruction, thinning of the bone cortex or tumor invasion of surrounding tissues. However, CT cannot directly distinguish between benign and malignant lesions, nor can it determine the specific type of tumor. CT examinations are usually used as a preliminary screening method to provide a reference for subsequent diagnosis.

2. Other examination methods for bone cancer diagnosis

Among imaging examinations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is better than CT in showing soft tissue and bone marrow lesions and is often used to assess the extent and invasion of tumors. X-ray examinations can observe the overall morphology of bones, but have low sensitivity for early lesions. Positron emission tomography (PET-CT) can determine the benign or malignant nature of a tumor based on metabolic activity. Pathological biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing bone cancer. It extracts diseased tissue for observation under a microscope to determine the nature and type of the tumor. Laboratory tests, such as the detection of tumor markers in the blood, can also provide auxiliary information for diagnosis.

3. Treatment of bone cancer

The treatment of bone cancer requires a personalized plan based on the type and stage of the tumor and the specific situation of the patient. Surgical treatment is the main means, including tumor resection, bone transplantation and prosthesis replacement, etc., which aims to completely remove the diseased tissue and restore bone function. Radiotherapy is often used for inoperable or postoperative adjuvant treatment, killing tumor cells through high-energy rays. Chemotherapy inhibits tumor growth through drugs and is suitable for bone cancers with higher malignancy. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are emerging therapies in recent years, which achieve therapeutic effects by precisely attacking tumor cells or activating the immune system.

Lumbar CT has certain value in the diagnosis of bone cancer, but it cannot be used alone as a basis for diagnosis. Only by combining MRI, pathological biopsy and laboratory tests can the condition be fully evaluated. Early detection and standardized treatment are the key to improving the cure rate of bone cancer. Patients should undergo comprehensive examinations and treatment under the guidance of a doctor.