Imaging plays an important part in helping doctors decide how to treat cancer. Here are some ways it helps:

1. Understanding the Tumor: Imaging tools like MRI and PET scans show what the tumor looks like. They reveal things like the tumor's type, size, and where it is located. This information helps doctors choose the best treatments.

2. Staging the Cancer: Knowing how far the cancer has spread is important for making treatment plans. Imaging helps doctors see how serious the situation is and adjust their plans based on what they find.

3. Checking Treatment Progress: After starting treatment, doctors use imaging to see how well it’s working. This way, they can decide if they should keep going, change the treatment, or use a mix of different ones.

4. Finding Biomarkers: Some advanced imaging techniques can help find specific markers in the tumor. These markers can lead to more targeted and precise treatments.

In summary, imaging is not just important for diagnosing cancer. It also helps doctors improve the entire process of treating it.