Fundamentals in Oncologic Ultrasound

Abstract

Thanks to the progress of modern imaging modalities a reliable noninvasive characterization of most focal lesions can today be obtained. In general, reaching a diagnosis with diagnostic techniques (radiologic as well as nuclear medicine, endoscopy, laboratory, etc.) rather than with cytologic or histologic biopsy is preferable, although the latter may avoid an excessive “spiral” between the different imaging techniques, with the associated costs in time and money. In most cases, however, a histologic or at least cytologic diagnosis of malignancy is still needed for appropriate patient management. In addition there are also medical-legal motives when undertaking treatment involving chemotherapy, radiation therapy and/or surgery. It should also be recalled that in many circumstances the collection of cytologic or histologic material does not serve diagnostic purposes but rather is done to obtain important information for beginning or continuing therapy, such as histologic type, grade of neoplasm, or its biochemical and functional characteristics.