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The advancement of medicine has grown in leaps and bounds in the last decade. Cancers are more easily treatable, but the key is to catch them early. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans are a great imaging modality for cancer detection. The World Health Organization has found the survival rates for multiple cancers are higher with early detection.
MRI scans are beneficial as they aid medical professionals in pinpointing certain cancers in the brain, bone, soft tissue, spinal cord, and pelvic organs. They can differentiate between tissue types and in some cases identify if the cancer is benign or malignant.
MRI machines are large magnets that use radio waves to take images of your organs and internal structures. MRIs can differentiate between tissue types in the body, allowing radiographers to pick up cancerous growth on the scan. MRIs are a more sensitive scan modality for soft tissues.
Read on below to learn more about MRIs' work.
MRIs can be used to diagnose cancer in these organs:
Ezra’s Full Body scan covers up to 13 organs, including the head, neck, spine, abdomen, and pelvis. The Full Body Plus scan also includes a low-dose CT scan of the lungs.
MRI scans for cancer detection are a painless and radiation-free imaging modality that provides high-resolution images of the body for detailed analysis by medical professionals. As there is no radiation to worry about, this means that regular Ezra full-body scans are safe to have.
For certain body parts, MRIs are superior to other scans like CT or PET scans as they can produce clearer images. MRIs in oncology can not only detect tumors but also stage them (measure the size and spread).
To prepare for your scans here are some steps you can take:
Due to magnetic fields, you will hear a loud banging noise during the scan. While this can be distressing, the technician will provide you with ear protection/headphones with music to reduce this disturbance. While in the machine, you will be lying flat on a table. There will be a voice speaking to you throughout the scan, providing you with breathing instructions. The scan should last one hour in entirety, however, to minimize any delays, please try and stay as still as possible and minimize bathroom visits during the scan.
MRI scans are very sensitive and specific imaging modalities that can pick up certain diseases and cancers CT scans cannot. These cancers include prostate, uterine, and specific liver cancer. It also does not use radiation.
CT scans are useful in the diagnosis/staging of cancer, monitoring the efficacy of treatment, and checking for remission. CT scans are the next step once cancer diagnosis has been confirmed and medical professionals want to check if the cancer has spread. Having a CT scan will mean you are exposed to radiation.
PET scan is a form of CT scan, however, it uses a radio-tracer to pick up activity in cells around the body. It picks up how much glucose is used on a cellular level. Cancer cells have a high uptake of glucose. This allows the radiologist to potentially pick up abnormal cells before MRI or CT scans. It is usually opted for once cancer cases have been confirmed, to look at the spread and response to treatment. PET scans also carry a radiation risk.
X-rays have a role to play in cancer diagnosis, however, are usually for first-time imaging to investigate a symptom. MRI and CT scans usually follow afterwards to further characterize any findings.
For a seamless and smooth MRI experience, ensure to arrive at your appointment 30 minutes early. You will be able to review and sign your pre-completed paperwork, as well as speak with the radiology technician and change your clothes. The staff will need to verify your identity with a government-issued photo ID.
After checking in, your radiographer will come out and meet you. They will go through your pre-screen questionnaire to ensure an MRI is safe for you prior to the scan.
During the scan, you can wear your own loose-fitting clothes with no metallic components to them. If there is a question of whether metal exists in your clothing, you will be provided with a gown.
While there is no restriction on eating and drinking before the scan, this does not apply if you are receiving anesthetic or contrast. For contrast-based scans or scans with anesthesia, you will need to fast for 4-6 hours before the scan to reduce the risk of vomiting.
Once the scan is completed, you can continue with your day. If you received contrast or anesthetic, you will need to have a friend or family pick you up. You should not drive or operate heavy machinery for the 24 hours following your scan.
A huge benefit of MRI scans over scans like CT or X-rays is the fact they do not use ionizing radiation. This is especially useful for patients requiring multiple scans. The lack of radiation means there is no radiation to the body.
As MRIs use magnets to create a strong magnetic field, you will be asked to remove all magnetic accessories like earrings, rings, or watches.
For patients with metal implants (cochlear implants, pacemakers, or joints), you will only be allowed to have an MRI scan if the implant is deemed MR-safe. If there is uncertainty around the safety of the implant, you will be deemed unsuitable for the scan.
Due to the small space in MRI machines, people who suffer from claustrophobia might struggle. In such a case, patients should tell their technologist.
If your MRI scan requires a contrast agent - usually gadolinium-based - some people might react to this artificial material. Some side effects are nausea, dizziness, rash, or headache. It is important to flag to your radiographer if you have a known allergy to this contrast
Sam was a healthy 72-year-old individual, who compared to other men his age, was at his peak physical health. He had completed over 200 marathons and 10 Iron Mans. Sam has a proactive mindset which propelled him to get a full body MRI scan with Ezra.
Unfortunately for Sam, despite his healthy lifestyle, the Ezra scan picked up a 7.5cm left kidney mass and a 3.9 cm right kidney mass. Renal (kidney cancers) present with ambiguous symptoms. If not for the Ezra MRI scan, Sam would probably not have been alerted in time to get treatment for his renal cancer.
Sam took his Ezra report to his primary physician and together, they opted for surgery where nine masses were removed from his right kidney. No healthy kidney tissue was removed and this early intervention reduced his chances of needing any chemotherapy or dialysis.
Sam's choice to opt for an Ezra scan not only improved his prognosis but also his quality of life in the future.
Generally, MRI scans can be expensive, especially if you add up different body parts. On average, a breast MRI can cost between $500-$10,300, a pelvic MRI $500-$7,900 and an abdominal MRI $1,600-$7,600.
Ezra offers a full-body MRI scan, scanning up to 13 organs, at a fraction of the cost. The service is offered at a $1,950 all-inclusive price. Additionally, you will be provided a report and scan images as well as a 45-minute post-scan consultation with an Ezra medical practitioner.
An MRI scan has a black-and-white color scheme, with some shades of gray. Compared to the tissue around it, a cancerous mass will show up as a white or very light color compared to the tissue around it. The radiologist is a medical professional trained with several years of experience to distinguish between normal body tissue and cancerous growths.
MRI scans are the best imaging modality to pick up soft tissue cancers around the body. They have a 77% accuracy and 85% specificity in distinguishing between malignant (cancerous) and benign (non-cancerous) tumors. This specificity rate means the false negative rates are low.
At Ezra, you will receive your results via the online portal within five to seven business days of the scan. You will also have the option to have a consultation with one of our medical professionals to discuss your results.
