What are the Limitations of Imaging Techniques in Cancer Diagnosis?
While imaging is invaluable, it has limitations:
- False Positives/Negatives: Some benign conditions can mimic cancer on imaging, leading to false positives. Conversely, small or early-stage cancers might be missed, resulting in false negatives. - Radiation Exposure: Techniques like X-rays and CT scans expose patients to ionizing radiation, which carries a risk, particularly with repeated imaging. - Cost and Accessibility: Advanced imaging modalities can be expensive and may not be readily available in all healthcare settings.
