There are many tests to assess liver function and to know the nature of its disease.
Biochemical Tests: These tests are used in:
· Differential diagnosis of jaundice
· To detect liver cell damage in other disorders, and
· To monitor the results of surgery of the biliary system and pancreas. These include urinary urobilin, plasma bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, a serum aminotransferases, plasma proteins, plasma prothrombin and sulphobromophthalein excretion test, etc.
Bronchoscopy: This is done for looking directly at the larynx, trachea, the two main bronchi and their subdivisions. Two types of bronchoscopes are used—the rigid and the flexible. Both have their uses, but the procedure with the flexible one is easy.
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Thyroid Scan: The patient is given an iodine isotope in a drink to take. This isotope gets concentrated in the thyroid Scanning and recording is done from there.
This scan tells whether the whole or a part of the thyroid is hyper-or-hypo-functioning. Hyper-functioning or overactive thyroid is indicative of hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease, i.e. of excessive amount of the thyroid hormones in the bloodstream and hypo-functioning or underactive thyroid of diminution of these hormones. If a particular spot in a palpable nodule does not show any activity, it creates a suspicion of cancer.
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Lumber Puncture and Myelogram: Under local anaesthetic a needle is inserted between 3rd and 4th lumber vertebra of the spine, so as to pierce the membranes over the spinal cord and reach the space where cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) is situated. A small quantity of CSF is taken for bacteriological and chemical examination. Then a contrast medium is injected into the space, and patient screened on the X-ray table in straight and different tilted positions. Any narrowing or obstruction present in the spinal column is visualized on the X-ray screen and X-ray film taken wherever indicated.
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Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP): This is done to outline the two kidneys, the bladder and the two ureters that connect the kidneys with the ureters.
In order to do this, not only is the contrast needed to fill these organs, but the whole of the intestine needs to be cleared and cleaned so that, their shadow does not mask the picture of the urinary tract.
Bone marrow Biopsy: Marrow is reached after piercing the bone. In some situations, for example, in children, at the upper end of the hip bone, the marrow can be reached easily, or in the case of adults at the sternum, front bone of the chest. Bone marrow is usually taken from the flat bones as they can be easily pierced compared to the long bones, which are thick and harder.
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Biopsy Examination: Lymph nodes or glands may be present on the surface of the body, for example, in the neck, axilla—the armpit or groin. From these places, it is not difficult to take out a whole gland and examine it histologically and also by culture for bacteria such as tubercle bocilli. But if the enlarged glands are present inside the body such as in the thorax or abdomen, then the part has to be operated upon and the gland removed.
Continue reading Cancer Treatment: Investigation of a Lymph Node
Radiation involves the exposure of a selected area of the body to a source of ionising radiation or X-rays under carefully controlled conditions. Treatment planning involves accurate localization of the cancer and calculation of the total radiation dose to be given and dividing the same into daily fractions over a period of some days or weeks so that there is optimum response and minimum side-effects.
Surgery is usually indicated in cases of localized cancers. It may be done either alone or in combination with other lines of treatment such as radiation and chemotherapy.
Cancer can be treated by any or all the following methods depending upon the site and the stage of the disease.