What do each of the following scans show?

[BusyLizzie]

So may different scans. Anybody have an idiots guide to what each one shows and what each one would pick up.

+ PET scan

+ CT scan

+ CAT scan

+ Ultrasound scan

+ MRI scan

[BusyLizzie]

What I found out so far....

I am guessing they are more powerful in the order I have sequenced them with PET being most powerful (i.e. can detect early stages of tumour). Not sure where MRI fits in.

Also Ultrasound and MRI use sound waves, whereas CT and PET use radiation.

1) Ultrasound

It can detect gallstones, tumours, fluid-filled cysts and any narrowing or swelling of blood vessels.

2) CT and CAT scan

CT scans in this area are used to verify the presence or absence of tumors, infection, abnormal anatomy, or changes of the body from trauma.

3) PET scan

PET scans are most commonly used to help diagnose a range of different cancers and work out the best ways of treating them. The information provided by a PET scan can show how far a cancer has spread or how well it is responding to treatment.

PET can help doctors locate the presence of cancer/infection anywhere in the body. Because cancers are multiplying and require energy for growth, the PET scan is designed to detect any mass that is growing fast. The PET scan involves the use of radioactive glucose which is injected into the body. The glucose is taken up by the cancer cells and this activity can be monitored by the PET scan. PET scan has the ability to identify tumors in their very early phase. The PET scan can also detect the spread of cancer in other parts of the body.

MRI SCAN

MRI is widely used to diagnose cancers that affect specific organs, such as lung cancer and prostate cancer. An MRI scan is also useful for assessing whether cancer has spread beyond a specific organ into nearby muscle or tissue.

MRI scans can also be used to diagnose other conditions that can affect the organs, such kidney disease.

[BusyLizzie in reply to BusyLizzie]

Things are becoming clearer now...More powerful as we go from 1 to 4.

1) Ultrasound

It can detect gallstones, tumours, fluid-filled cysts and any narrowing or swelling of blood vessels.

* I had this as my first scan when I was being diagnosed, but I was too bloated to see the detail of my ovaries although they could see the tumours.

2) CT and CAT scan

CT scans in this area are used to verify the presence or absence of tumors, infection, abnormal anatomy, or changes of the body from trauma.

* I had this as my second scan when I was being diagnosed, they could see the detail of my ovaries even though I was bloated.

* I had this as my first scan when my tumour marker started going the wrong way during first line chemo. It was clear so they dug deeper using MRI. The CT scan showed my whole body.

3) MRI SCAN

MRI is widely used to diagnose cancers that affect specific organs, such as lung cancer and prostate cancer. An MRI scan is also useful for assessing whether cancer has spread beyond a specific organ into nearby muscle or tissue.

MRI scans can also be used to diagnose other conditions that can affect the organs, such kidney disease.

* I had this as my second scan when my tumour marker started going the wrong way during first line chemo. The MRI scan focused on my pelvic and abominal areas. Although I have not had the report yet, an initial view of the images looks good, so they will likely go on and do a PET scan.

4) PET scan

PET scans are most commonly used to help diagnose a range of different cancers and work out the best ways of treating them. The information provided by a PET scan can show how far a cancer has spread or how well it is responding to treatment.

PET can help doctors locate the presence of cancer/infection anywhere in the body. Because cancers are multiplying and require energy for growth, the PET scan is designed to detect any mass that is growing fast. The PET scan involves the use of radioactive glucose which is injected into the body. The glucose is taken up by the cancer cells and this activity can be monitored by the PET scan. PET scan has the ability to identify tumors in their very early phase. The PET scan can also detect the spread of cancer in other parts of the body.

[sarah1963]

Hello lovely Lizzie

I'm not much use on this even though I have had countless CT scans. I had one a couple of weeks ago to see whether my tumours were touching my bowels. I am being vetted for a trial drug that targets the blood supply to the tumours and they had to make sure it wouldn't risk perforating the bowel.

I am having an MRI next Tues which will show the blood vessels in more detail. They will then be able to judge whether the drug has managed to damage those blood vessels. They and I hope it will! If there is any particular question you would like me to ask about MRI scans let me know and I will ask.

How are you doing?

Sarah

[BusyLizzie in reply to sarah1963]

Hi Little Twin,

I am not good at this either. I just know that CT and PET scans they probably use sparingly because of the radiation involved, so I wondered why they would not use Ultrasound and MRI scans more than they seem to as they carry next to no risk (Only risk I know of is that I did read about people getting hurt as metal objects flew towards the magnetic field in a MRI scanner! It happens so frequently they even have a name for it!).

My CT scan went well thanks - but raised tumour marker (latest count from Monday seems to have gone AWOL before it reached me) means they are likely to go on and do a PET or MRI scan. I'll know next week as my case is being discussed on Monday between onclogist and gynae surgeon.

Feeling pretty damn good even after chemo #5 on Taxol/Carboplatin. Hoping I won't need Caelyx before the end of the year given the short supply.

Good luck with the MRI scan and I hope the vessels have been severely damaged and cut the tumours' life supply off! Remember not to wear those huge metal dangly earrings though - or they'll be peeling you off the top of the scanner

Love Lizzie

X

[sarah1963]

Hi slightly bigger twin

Well done for getting through 5 doses of carbo/taxol in such good shape. It proves how strong you are! So do you know the results of the CT yet or will they tell you once they have discussed it?

I haven't started the trial drug yet. Hopefully that will start on Tues. Its a tablet not chemo which is very exciting for me having had so much of the other stuff. Were you listening to Woman's Hour this morning? They were talking about a new faulty gene they have just discovered called RAD 51 D. That is on top of the BRAC 1 & 2 they already know about. I am going to be tested for the BRACs genes in the next couple of weeks although its a bit of a long shot. This is all at the RM. If nothing else it stops me getting bored. It just takes 3 hours to get there.

Yes I will leave jewels at home and the underwired bra.

Love Sarah

[BusyLizzie in reply to sarah1963]

Hi Little Twin,

CT scan showed no evidence of residual or metastatic disease - which is excellent news. However, I think they may do a PET or MRI scan because my marker is so high. I was supposed to have a new count on Wednesday last week after a blood test on Monday but my CA125 went AWOL. My case was discussed today, so I will catch up with my specialist nurse in the next couple of days to see how they will tell me what was decided.

I was tested for BRAC 1 & 2 alterations, but there were none. I may have got on the PARP inhibitor trial if there was.

Glad to hear the underwired bra is staying at home. I am so small I don't wear a bra! One less thing to remember if I need an MRI scan

Love Lizzie

X

[sarah1963]

Brilliant news from the CT scan! If they can't see anything I am sure the CA125 is just a freak result. You can go forward from the chemo now with a clear road ahead of you and hopefully a lovely Christmas.

Had the MRI today but I am STILL waiting to hear from the drugs Co in the US as to whether I am on the trial. Which means yet another trip to Sutton on Friday if I get the go ahead. No wonder its called a trial.

Love your Twin with the big knockers

[BusyLizzie in reply to sarah1963]

Hi Twin (WTBK),

I told you that we were twins. I have an MRI today too! Because of the raised tumour marker, depsite my CT scan showing nothing, they are digging deeper.

Have you had your MRI results yet? How long do you have to wait? Also have you been accepted on to the trial which is proving to be a trial in itself yet?

Love your twin with the tiny knockers

X

[sarah1963]

MRIs are us! Mine took 50 minutes but thankfully I don't suffer from claustrophobia. What was yours like?

I don't need to know the results of my scan to know that I have grapefruit size tumours in my abdomen. This autumn I am mostly wearing trackie bottoms. But the good news is that I am now on the trial drug. The MRI before the start and then another after 6 weeks will show whether or not it is working. It is a novelty to pop a couple of pills each day which aren't even chemo in tablet form but something completely different. No side effects to date except tiredness. Mind you I am thinking of knitting a poncho. I don't know whether that counts as a side effect.

How long till you get the scan results?

Love from your twin (who slightly exaggerated the size of her knockers)

[BusyLizzie in reply to sarah1963]

Hi Twin,

I don't think my MRI was quite that long (about 20 mins), but it certainly did go on a while. It may be it just seemed it though, because they made me listen to Simon Mayo through headphones as they were doing it. They said the images will be available tomorrow when I happen to see my oncologist, but the report would take longer. I had an injection which left a temporary lump on my hand, gave me bleary eyes and made my cheeks glow. Along with my flu jab yesterday and chemo tomorrow - I think I am now just one little chemical cocktail. I have told my husband not to be too surprised if I explode in the night due to an unforseen chemical reaction.

I guess if you are on a trial you have to report any side effects. I would see what they say about the desire to knit a poncho. They usually have a tablet for most side effects!

Love Lizzie your twin (who did not exaggerate how tiny her knockers are).