What do CT scans look for?

[Jason]

Hey all, im going to have a CT scan (abdominal and chest) next week along with an ultrasound.

I know what the ultrasound can find. Though im wondering what exactly does the CT scan find.

Im guessing the abdominal scan checks if there are any lymph nodes which are enlarged and the chest scan checks if there are any black spots inside the lungs.

Am i right here?

[Dave40306]

I'm certainly no expert but it sounds like you've got it right.

[Jason]

Ok cool. In fact i dont know whether im getting a chest X ray or chest CT scan? I know for my abdominals im getting CT.

Does anyone know what is usually done to determine chest results? X Ray or CT scan?

[Krokar]

Could be both but normal always x-RAY for chest.

[Alucard]

Take a look here: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/content/ct_of_the_body.htm

[nzsteve]

Hi,

Ive always had a chest CT done at the same time as having the abdmoinal one. Takes only a couple of seconds longer - youre allready in the machine so it just pushes you through a few inches more. I did ask my oncologist about this, and the extra radiation shouldnt be a long term concern, with the bonus that the CT results should be much more acurate than a chest xray.

Good Luck,

Steve

[Jason]

Thanks for that link alucard.

So Im guessing an Abdominal CT scan doesnt locate a tumor but an enlarged lymph node instead (which i know means there is spread in that area)

Or is it possible for an Abdominal scan to locate a tumor that has spread there? Is that just not possible?

[Mom]

The CT scan is going to show abnormalities. My son's CT scan noted something on the liver, but lymph nodes okay. The ocologist ordered an MRI of the liver, abdomen, lungs and brain. The "something" on the liver was nothing, and he was all clear in the lungs and brain, however, it did pick up a swollen lymph node. It was too small for the CT scan to pick up. Because of the swollen lymph node, coupled with lymphatic invasion and the fact that his markers did not go down after I/O, he was treated with 3 x BEP. 15 months post chemo, he is doing fine. Dianne