CT scan

Short for “computed tomography” scan, a CT scan is conducted by taking X-rays from multiple angles. The X-ray machine is connected to a computer, which stacks the images to generate a 3D view of tissues and organs. Sometimes, a dye is injected into a patient’s vein or swallowed by mouth prior to the CT scan to improve the image resolution. CT scans may be used to detect breast cancer, determine whether the disease has spread, monitor response to treatment, and more. A CT scan is also sometimes referred to as a CAT scan.