National Cancer Institute

at the National Institutes of Health

When your parent has cancer: A guide for teens

Posted: 04/12/2011

Monitoring tests

TEST	PURPOSE
Biopsy	Used to find out whether a tumor or abnormality is cancer. Benign means it is not cancer. Malignant means that it is cancer.	A doctor removes a sample from a person using one of two ways: with a long needle (needle biopsy) or by making a small cut (surgical biopsy).
Blood test	Checks the blood to see whether the balance of the cells and chemicals is normal	A nurse or technician inserts a needle into a vein, usually in the arm. Then he or she draws blood.
Bone marrow aspiration	Collects a small sample of cells from inside a bone to be examined under a microscope	A needle is used to remove a small sample of tissue from a bone (usually the hip bone).
CAT scan or CT scan (Computerized axial tomography)	Uses x-rays and a computer to produce threedimensional (3-D) images of the inside of the body	The patient lies flat on a table, which moves through a large tube while a series of x-rays is taken.
MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging)	Uses radio and magnetic waves to make images of organs and other tissues inside the body	The patient lies flat on a table, which moves through a large tube while an MRI machine scans the body for several minutes.
PET scan (Positron emission tomography)	Uses computerized pictures of areas inside the body to find cancer cells	The patient gets an injection and then a machine takes computerized pictures of areas inside the body.
Spinal tap (Lumbar puncture)	Collects a sample of the fluid inside the spine to be examined under a microscope	A needle is used to remove fluid from the spine in the lower back.
Ultrasound (Ultrasonography)	Uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of internal organs and other tissues inside the body	A technician moves a small handheld device over an area on the patient's body. An image appears on the computer screen.
X-ray	Takes a picture of the inside of the body using highenergy waves	The patient is placed in front of the x-ray machine or lies on a table.

Glossary Terms

biopsy (BY-op-see)

The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist. The pathologist may study the tissue under a microscope or perform other tests on the cells or tissue. There are many different types of biopsy procedures. The most common types include: (1) incisional biopsy, in which only a sample of tissue is removed; (2) excisional biopsy, in which an entire lump or suspicious area is removed; and (3) needle biopsy, in which a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle. When a wide needle is used, the procedure is called a core biopsy. When a thin needle is used, the procedure is called a fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

blood chemistry study (blud KEH-mih-stree STUH-dee)

A procedure in which a sample of blood is examined to measure the amounts of certain substances made in the body. An abnormal amount of a substance can be a sign of disease in the organ or tissue that produces it.

bone marrow aspiration (bone MAYR-oh AS-pih-RAY-shun)

A procedure in which a small sample of bone marrow is removed, usually from the hip bone, breastbone, or thigh bone. A small area of skin and the surface of the bone underneath are numbed with an anesthetic. Then, a special wide needle is pushed into the bone. A sample of liquid bone marrow is removed with a syringe attached to the needle. The bone marrow is sent to a laboratory to be looked at under a microscope. This procedure may be done at the same time as a bone marrow biopsy.

CAT scan (… skan)

A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles. The pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. Also called computed tomography scan, computerized axial tomography scan, computerized tomography, and CT scan.

MRI

A procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures can show the difference between normal and diseased tissue. MRI makes better images of organs and soft tissue than other scanning techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) or x-ray. MRI is especially useful for imaging the brain, the spine, the soft tissue of joints, and the inside of bones. Also called magnetic resonance imaging, NMRI, and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.

PET scan (… skan)

A procedure in which a small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein, and a scanner is used to make detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body where the glucose is used. Because cancer cells often use more glucose than normal cells, the pictures can be used to find cancer cells in the body. Also called positron emission tomography scan.

spinal tap (SPY-nul ...)

A procedure in which a thin needle called a spinal needle is put into the lower part of the spinal column to collect cerebrospinal fluid or to give drugs. Also called lumbar puncture.

ultrasound (UL-truh-SOWND)

A procedure in which high-energy sound waves are bounced off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echo patterns are shown on the screen of an ultrasound machine, forming a picture of body tissues called a sonogram. Also called ultrasonography.

x-ray (EX-ray)

A type of radiation used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other diseases. In low doses, x-rays are used to diagnose diseases by making pictures of the inside of the body. In high doses, x-rays are used to treat cancer.