Ct chest scan

[Hollyhops]

Is it normal to have to wait 4 months for ct scan. Had chest infection in May..xray showed white shadow on left lung.. Which I was told was infection.. Was hospitalised for 4 days.. Had repeat xray 6 weeks ltr in June.. shadow still their.. So got letter in post for chest ct scan with contrast. But scan not till end October.. Which would have been ordered after repeat xray in June when shadow still their.. So I'm worried what could shadow be..consultant said he wasn't sure about it as it has no defined shape to it.. Please can anyone shed some light on it.. Thanks..

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear Hollyhops

Welcome to the forum where you will find support and encouragement.

It is understandable your worry for the wait for your CT scan; usually if there is a concern your appointment may have been requested as urgent, as within a few weeks. Perhaps discuss with your GP everything that has happened since your chest infection and to be reassessed.

The other thing you may wish to consider is to call the Radiology department and inform them that you would be happy to be called at short notice if they receive a cancellation.

A shadow on the lung does not necessarily mean it is cancer it could be current infection or signs there has been a chest infection.

If you wish to discuss anything you can call us on our free nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

All the very best

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Hollyhops in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thanks so much for your advice..my friend said same if it looked suspicious they wouldn't leave me for 4 months..i have copd mild/moderate and asthma diagnosed 1 year ago..i don't suffer much with breathlessnes only wheezing occasionally.. Had full bloods done 2 weeks ago. Nothing to do with lungs just once a year routine blood tests all came back fine..only lost my brother 6weeks ago to cancer. I feel I'm not ready to have scan just in case it is bad news.. I'm so worried..x..

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle in reply to Hollyhops]

Dear Hollyhops

So sorry to hear about your brother, hope you are doing okay.

The only thing with the CT scan is at least you will get answers rather than the suspicion of cancer hanging over you. It is encouraging your bloods are all good. You probably know that will not get a result on the day of the CT scan but should have a follow up appointment with your Consultant to receive the results.

If you wish to discuss anything please do not hesitate to call us on 0800 358 7200 or you can email on [e-mail]

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[rottenrunner]

hi Hollyhops sorry to hear your worried about your scan, they are worrying times, I get my results a week on Thursday, I'm sure it'll say my cancer is still dormant but you always have a bit of that thinks maybe it's back, keep busy and think positive, worry about it when you know what it is, I know it's easy to say that but keep telling yourself to relax and wait till they tell you what it is, read a good book or watch a box set on the telly, keep your mind occupied, wishing you all the best for your scan and the results, take care Dave

[Hollyhops in reply to rottenrunner]

Thank you..im getting more nervous as the day gets nearer.. Its not till the 30th.. Good luck with your results.. Let us know how you get on.. Xx

[rottenrunner in reply to Hollyhops]

your welcome Hollyhops, have a look on the wimhofmethod.com they do breathing techniques on there and have a basic one for free, I used that for a few years, I've now signed up, but it helped to relax me and I haven't bitten my nails for nearly 3 years, I would always bite them, hopefully it could help you to relax a little, good luck and wishing you all the best

Dave 😊👍❤

[Fanniek]

I'm no expert but I'm sure if they really thought is was suspicious, surely they would have you in a lot sooner!

[Hollyhops in reply to Fanniek]

Yes that's what keeps me sane.. Thank you.. Xx

[Savanna01]

After repeated chest infections I had an X-Ray which showed nothing. Then a CT as a precaution which showed shadow on lung so was referred for urgent PET scan which lit up red. Cancer was strongly suspected so had lung biopsy which showed inflammation. I never had to wait more than 1 - 2 weeks in-between scans. Could you not have a word with the consultant to speed up things or phone hospital to re-schedule & bring forward scan date?

[Hollyhops in reply to Savanna01]

So was the shadow just inflammation.. I don't want to contact the consultant cause the longer away it is the better for me even tho its more time to worry.. I seen my xray after it is just a small white shadow on the outside edge halfway down my left lung more near my ribs nurse that showed me said it was infection at the time.. But was still there after 6 weeks.that was back in June.. . So maybe they have to check it out.. Thanks.. Xx

[JanetteR57]

sometimes if we have frequent chest infections, inflammation can show on the chest x-ray and as most ct scanners have high dose of radiation (proven to trigger cancer over time), there is reluctance to keep putting patients in the CT scanner as this may cause more harm than good. (remember their oath ' first do no harm'). This is why you will be requested for repeat chest x-rays and inflammation takes a while to settle down hence not having them more frequently. Hope you get some answers soon to reassure you and reduce your anxiety at this difficult time. take care.

[Hollyhops in reply to JanetteR57]

Hi JanetteR57 thanks for the reply.. I'm just hoping it is only inflammation.. I am scared of the contrast as I had it gfew years ago to check the arteries in my heart.. As soon as the dye was injected my heart started beating really fast.. The nurse that injected it thought it was brought on by myself.. It slowed down eventually and scan was done..could I say I don't want contrast would it show much the same on the scan without contrast.. I'm going next week.. Its been a long wait nearly 4 months.. Hope someone can advise me what to do.. Xx

[JanetteR57]

As the nurse explained, sometimes our fear and anxiety can cause very real symptoms in our body including racing heart and breathing difficulties which is why it's really important to get our minds into an ok place (or as ok as we can get it) when undergoing tests. Clinicians know that infections can leave residual 'markers' in our bodies that may show on chest xrays and so will try and wait for all traces of infection to be gone before doing further investigations as many things will settle down in the body without harsh interventions. hope you can get some reassurance soon. do you have anyone you could discuss this with such as a counsellor?

[Hollyhops in reply to JanetteR57]

Thank you so much I feel a bit better now.. Knowing as you say it takes a while for infection markers to clear.. And spot is where infection was..when I seen consultant in August she said not sure what it is as it has no defined shape to it.then i réad ón google that cancerous spots have no defined shape such as nodules which are mostly not cancer and are round in shape that's what is worrying me the most.. Xx

[JanetteR57]

Dr Google is a very scary consultant -we can convince ourselves we have all sorts of conditions - years ago, people used to consult medical dictionaries but google is even more frightening especially as so much of the information relating to lung cancer especially is extremely out of date and misinformed.

[Rickjames]

If you are in UK, then it’s normal to wait even longer than that.

The same situation happened to me and they wanted to wait and wait.(on the NHS)

I ended up going for a private PET scan to sort it out once and for all.

The NHS have some of the worst detection and cure rates for all types of cancer .

Get yourself a private PET scan and get it over with once and for all.

[Rickjames]

If you are in UK, then it’s normal to wait even longer than that.

The same situation happened to me and they wanted to wait and wait.(on the NHS)

I ended up going for a private PET scan to sort it out once and for all.

The NHS have some of the worst detection and cure rates for all types of cancer .

Get yourself a private PET scan and get it over with once and for all.

[Savanna01]

I had this and after a CT, PET scan, lung biopsy it was confirmed to be inflammation. 6 months later the shadow has cleared up completely by itself. I waited very little time inbetween as they were convinced it was cancer. Call the hospital & try bring forward scan date if you are worried, but I would say they don't suspect anything suspicious & that they are waiting to see if it clears up by itself.

[Hollyhops in reply to Savanna01]

Thank you Savanna 01. Its good to hear someone else had the same..I've waited so long for this scan which I will be having on Wednesday next..going to consultant week after for results.. Dreading that..im hoping its only inflamation or scar from infections 🤞🙏I've had at least 3 in the last year.First and second infection chest xray was clear. It was only the one I had In April that showed white shadow in same place as infection was..thanks again.. Xx

[Savanna01 in reply to Hollyhops]

I also suffer from repeated chest infections. The last one I had in January was very bad, I was bedridden for 3 weeks. They picked up the shadow on the CT in April, so I'm sure it had something to do with that though they said it wasn't infection but inflammation. After biopsy revealed it was inflammation they booked me in for a follow up CT in 3 months to check whether it had gone and it had. Hoping for a positive outcome for you.

[Hollyhops in reply to Savanna01]

Hi Savanna 01 had my ct scan with contrast 2 weeks ago had appointment with consultant 1 week after scan but results were not back.. He was saying he's quite confident it will be good result as I'm in good health and not losing weight.. Sleeping OK and lots of energy..he said he would ring me with results but so far no call yet.. I'm still worried.. Does it normally take this long (2weeks) to get results..

[Savanna01 in reply to Hollyhops]

I waited a week. The fact that it's 2 weeks is another good sign! They will contact you very quickly if anything sinister. Please keep us posted.

[Hollyhops]

Will do thanks.. Just hope doc hasn't forgot to check for it.is their any other reason for the delay..i keep thinking they might have found something else and are getting it checked..my daughter says not to be silly.. But I can't help thinking all sorts. .I just can't relax till I get that call.. I jump everytime my phone rings.. 😅

[Kalilou2]

I had pains and my Dr didn’t hang about I was sent for one within days it turned out it was due to the radio. All was ok although I still get pains in my right side all the time.