Ultrasound is a key modality in the diagnosis of many tumors arising in soft tissues in the medical discipline of oncology. The following pages describe some of the main features of malignancies and how they relate to ultrasound and cancer diagnosis. A specific ultrasound examination is also included in the case of adrenocortical carcinoma, shown below. Image © Dr. TSA Geertsma Main signs and symptoms of malignancies: General signs and symptoms suspicious of a malignancy that may lead a general practitioner to refer a patient for further consultation. Investigations include: malaise, fatigue, mineral and hormonal imbalance, palpable mass, swelling, edema, abdominal or back pain, jaundice, fever, weakness, weight loss and decreased immunity. Ultrasound criteria for malignancy: Thieme says regarding ultrasound criteria. for malignant tumors: “Tumors of primary organs and metastases appear as circumscribed lesions whose shape and echo are characteristic of tumors. The normal architecture and echo of the affected organ are altered or destroyed” (Thieme, 2007). A study by Mahira Yunus and Zeba Ahmed on solid thyroid nodules used the following criteria for ultrasound images to conclude that the lesion was malignant: complex lesions, presence of calcium deposits, irregular margins, and heterogeneity. The presence of only one of these elements signals that the lesion is malignant. The absence of one of these factors allowed the conclusion that the lesion was benign. (Yunus et al., 2010) Different characteristics of tumors may indicate malignancy in some organs, but in other locations they may indicate benign growth. For example, Thieme states that "an echopenic halo suggests metastasis in the liver but suggests a... middle of paper... in surrounding tissues with the use of ultrasound imaging (Heinz-Peer et al., 2007).Conclusion:. As a budding radiation therapist, being able to read an ultrasound image is essential, especially when it comes to treatment planning. It is very important to be able to distinguish the characteristics of a malignant tumor from surrounding normal tissues; Being able to look at an ultrasound image and immediately see the location of a malignant lesion is a lifelong skill. After looking specifically at the role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of adrenal gland cancer, it becomes more readily apparent that ultrasound is in some ways invaluable, but in other ways usurped by modalities such as CT. and MRI. Thus, one must be familiar with all of these different imaging modalities in order to be able to most effectively diagnose, plan and treat a patient with cancer...