MRI vs CT scan

[Bluehen]

i see many of you are getting MRI's. I would prefer this over CT Scan. Why is your oncologist agreeing to MRI's?

[Katmal-UK]

Hi. I think the MRI is used when they want to see a more detailed 'picture' of what is going on. The MRI is a lot more expensive than a CT and takes a lot longer - 5 mins for a CT verses on average 30 mins for an MRI. I've only had MRI twice in 8 years once at the very beginning when they were trying to reach a diagnosis and the second time when they thought the cancer may have reached my brain. (on the plus side they found I had a brain!). I'm quite happy with the CT, I hated the MRI the first time round and had to be sedated for the head MRI, having said that the radiologist giving the second was so very good. xx

[Lily-Anne]

I'm having an MRI because the CT showed a tumour and they want more info. However saw GP today and she said that MRI is superior, and wondered why I had CT scan to start with.

LA

[Hidden]

I asked the same question and was told that an MRI scan gives a more intense scan of the soft tissue ....they do take a lot longer but it seems overall they are better than a CT scan.

Luanna x

[sharonforce]

On most of the trials I have been on I have had regular CT and MRI scans usually every two months - both carried out on the same day. They provide slightly different information on your disease. The lovely radiologist at the RM showed me my scans on a large screen and talked me through them - not that I could understand or interpret everything.

I find MRIs quite hard as I am 40 minutes in the scanner and feel a bit claustrophobic whereas the CT scan only takes 5 minutes.

I asked my doctor once why it was necessary to have both as I was worried about the amount of radiation I was getting from all the CT scans. His reply was that the radiation exposure would increase my risk of getting another cancer in 30 years time rather than affect me at the moment so I found this quite reassuring as I will be very lucky to be here in 3 years time let alone 30!

Interestingly though my current trial protocol only requests CT scans every two months, so I haven't had an MRI for about six months now. When I queried whether the CT scan was sufficient my doctor said if he was worried and thought it necessary he would request an MRI scan.

Best wishes

Sharon