Can an ultrasound scan detect cancer?

Can an Ultrasound Scan Detect Cancer?

Understanding the facts

An ultrasound scan is a simple imaging test that helps doctors look inside your body and check for any unusual changes. As a quick, non-invasive imaging technique that does not use any radiation, an ultrasound scan is a safe and effective way to help diagnose cancer.

So, “can an ultrasound scan detect cancer?”. Yes, it can. Here, we will explore how an ultrasound scan is used in cancer detection, the types of cancer it can discover, and its limitations. We will also compare ultrasound examination to the other imaging tests used in cancer diagnosis.

How ultrasound scans identify cancer

Ultrasound scans use harmless sound waves to make pictures of the inside of your body. These sound waves are beyond the limit of human hearing, so you won’t hear any sounds from the ultrasound probe during your scan.

The ultrasound probe is a handheld device that is passed along the area of your body being investigated. In order to ensure clear images are generated, a clear lubricating gel will first be applied to this part of your body by your ultrasound technician (sonographer). The gel ensures there are no gaps of air between the probe and your body, which can interfere with the transmission of sound waves.

The probe both sends out ultrasound waves and identifies the waves as they’re reflected off the tissues they encounter. The sound waves bounce back whenever they encounter a boundary between tissues – these reflected sound waves are called echoes.

Over 1,000 echoes can be identified per second by the small device. When these echoes are transmitted to a computer, they’re converted into live images of the inside of your body in greyscale. This means ultrasound provides real time imaging.

As ultrasounds can reveal boundaries between tissues, solid masses caused by cancer or fluid-filled cysts stand out next to healthy tissue.

Ultrasound is completely safe and doesn’t use any radiation.

Types of ultrasound scan

There are two main kinds of ultrasound scans: ones performed on the outside of your body (external ultrasound) and ones performed inside the body (internal ultrasound scans). Internal scans, such as transvaginal ultrasound and transrectal ultrasound, use small probes that are shaped for comfort and are always covered with a protective sheath.

Types of cancer detectable by ultrasound

Ultrasounds are a useful tool for finding cancers that cause solid masses. While it’s not an effective tool for detecting blood cancers like leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma, an ultrasound scan may find the signs or complications of blood cancers, such as enlarged lymph nodes.

Ultrasound is mainly used for cancer detection in internal organs and areas of the body where solid masses may develop. This includes:

Breast cancer – a breast ultrasound may be recommended after a mass is detected on a mammogram and in women with more dense, fatty breast tissue
Cancers of the internal organs inside the abdominal area, such as the bladder, liver, pancreas and kidney
Cancer of the digestive system, such as stomach cancer and gallbladder cancer, which are often diagnosed with endoscopic ultrasound
Cancer of the womb and ovaries in women, which is detected using a pelvic ultrasound
Lung cancer – a type of ultrasound performed using a small probe gently passed into your airways (endobrachial ultrasound)
Prostate cancer, that is, cancer of the prostate gland, and testicular cancer in men

What ultrasound can and can’t show

Although an ultrasound scan can detect an unusual lump, it can’t confirm whether it’s cancerous or non-cancerous. To confirm a diagnosis of cancer, a tissue sample (biopsy) needs to be collected. The biopsy will be analysed in a lab to find out whether the tissue contains cancer cells.

As ultrasound technology is based on the use of sound waves, it can’t reliably detect lung cancer or bone cancer. This is because sound waves don’t pass through bone well and are reflected too much when passing through air.

Comparing ultrasound with other scans

Ultrasound vs X-ray

Unlike an ultrasound scan, an X-ray exposes you to ionising radiation, although the doses of radiation used are very low. An X-ray is better suited for detecting lung cancer and bone cancer than ultrasound.

X-rays are also used during a mammogram, which is the gold standard tool for breast cancer screening. Breast ultrasound scans can further investigate the findings of a mammogram, for example, if the results are not clear due to dense breast tissue.

Ultrasound vs CT

As with an X-ray, a CT scan uses ionising radiation but in higher doses. The nature of a CT scan means it can produce higher resolution images than an ultrasound scan, which can help detect smaller tumours and, therefore, detect cancer in early stages.

A CT scan is also better suited for detecting lung cancer and bone cancer than ultrasound.

Ultrasound vs MRI

Neither ultrasound imaging scans nor MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) use ionising radiation. However, MRI produces higher resolution images and can, therefore, detect smaller tumours that may be missed on an ultrasound scan.

MRI scans take longer and mean staying still for a while. You’ll also need to lie in an enclosed tube for an MRI scan, which can be uncomfortable if you don’t like small spaces (ie you’re claustrophobic).

Understanding ultrasound scan results

At Vista Health, we aim to deliver your ultrasound scan results within 3 working days. You’ll receive a detailed report with insights from one of our experienced Consultant Radiologists.

This report can also be sent to your NHS GP. Alternatively, you can discuss your results with one of our expert Vista Health GPs. They will explain what your results mean for you, including whether you need further diagnostic testing if signs of cancer are detected.

As mentioned earlier, an ultrasound scan isn’t enough to confirm a diagnosis of cancer by itself.If your scan suggests something that needs checking, your doctor may recommend a biopsy to look more closely at the tissue.Your oncologist (a doctor specialising in treating cancer) will be able to explain the next steps and your treatment options.

Ready for your ultrasound?

If you’ve noticed unexplained symptoms or just want peace of mind, you can book a quick, safe ultrasound scan with Vista Health at one of our nationwide clinics.