Are CT scans accurate?

[NeedingAdvice1965]

Hi,

I was just wondering how accurate are CT scans with contrast? Can they miss lung cancer?

Thank you.

[Huffnpuff73]

Ive had a ct scan with contrast last year and they picked up a mass of 1cm in my lung after a ct scan. Then there was a broncoscopy, a PET scan and a fine needle biopsy of lung and it was removed and it was a aspergillus fungal ball that was biopsed during op. If a mass is over i think 5mm it can usually be picked up.

So in my opinion id say there good at picking up masses wherher benign or cancerous or of a fungal nature or sarcoidosis etc.

[Bow-19]

It is not a positive thing to say but I think it depends on how competent the Radiologist who reads the scan is!!! In my own case the Consultant Chest Radiologist who saw my ct scan which did show right middle lobe collapse wrote benign as his report!! The Lung Cancer Consultant at my local hospital agreed!! It wasn't and 12 months later I lost the sight in my eye and was diagnosed with lung cancer. I know that I was very unfortunate and that the NHS provides excellent care, which I have also had since diagnosis but the system is open to human error.

I hope this just gives you one thing to consider. Wishing you all the best

[stutheit]

I have had a few cat scan and they have showed every new mass as small as 1cm in fact that's how they found the first tumor nodule I broke my back and I did a cat-scan and every time I'm had cats scan has been for something else and they keep finding mass - tumors each time so the answer is yes CAT scan contrast can detect them in my opinion

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Welcome to the forum.

CT scans with contrast are very detailed and accurate. I have supplied a link from cancer research UK for you to view.

cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

If you wish to discuss anything you can call our free nurse led helpline on 0333 323 7200

All the best

The Roy Castle Support Team