WARNING: CT NECK

Forums General Melanoma Community WARNING: CT NECK

  • Post
    killmel
    Participant

      Hi,

      I am new here and been reading all the post. Thank you for posting the wealth of information.

      I have been reading posts about MRI & scans for trials that people are having.

      I found out something interesting this week. I have  3month  scans which are: BRAIN MRI, CT Neck, Chest, Abdomen & Pelvis.

      Hi,

      I am new here and been reading all the post. Thank you for posting the wealth of information.

      I have been reading posts about MRI & scans for trials that people are having.

      I found out something interesting this week. I have  3month  scans which are: BRAIN MRI, CT Neck, Chest, Abdomen & Pelvis.

       For many years, I was having CT brain/head scans because I am EXTREMELYClaustrophobic. However, one of my doctors convinced me that radiation from the CT  brain/head was not good for me and that I should switch to Brain MRI . So for a few years, I have been having Brain MRI's replacing the CT brain/head scans.

      Six months ago, I started a trial that required scans of head, neck, chest, abdomen & pelvis. So I have been having BRAIN MRI, and CT neck, chest, abdomen & pelvis.

      This week I saw my scan images and when they did my  CT neck , they also scanned my head.  I am very  upset that my head is being scanned getting radiation and no one tells you. The scan report by the radiologist does not read the head images so you would not know the head is scanned when they do a CT neck

      I was under the impression that a neck could be scanned alone without the head. Does anyone know if the neck can be scanned without the head or does the head have to be scanned to get the full neck images??? Has anyone seen their images who have their neck scanned and the head was not scanned at the same time??? Obviously, my preference would be to continue to have BRAIN MRI and ONLY my NECK be scannned without my head.

      Radiation/scans are a necessary evil for cancer patients but why not try to reduce the amount we get if we can!

      Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I sincerely appreiate your imput about your CT neck scans.

      Tommy

       

    Viewing 11 reply threads
    • Replies
        lhaley
        Participant

          An MRI does not give you radiation where CT give you radiation.  Thinking that way the mri has a lot less danger to your body.    The MRI also gives you a lot of more info then a CT will. 

          I am not claustrophopic (thank G-d because I do have have brain mets).  However I do not let them cover my eyes.  Some people do have to take a valium.  I let my sell go into a cadence with the mri.  That is actually a really huge magnetic that makes the mri work. 

          By the way when a PET showed up something last year on my arm to follow through it was an mri on my arm – it was mel. 

          I would ask why the same radialogist doesn't read  both sides of the scans.  For me the radialogist and my oncologist reads the scans.  My oncologist usually meets with us with in hour and goes over the scans.

          Good luck

          Linda

          lhaley
          Participant

            An MRI does not give you radiation where CT give you radiation.  Thinking that way the mri has a lot less danger to your body.    The MRI also gives you a lot of more info then a CT will. 

            I am not claustrophopic (thank G-d because I do have have brain mets).  However I do not let them cover my eyes.  Some people do have to take a valium.  I let my sell go into a cadence with the mri.  That is actually a really huge magnetic that makes the mri work. 

            By the way when a PET showed up something last year on my arm to follow through it was an mri on my arm – it was mel. 

            I would ask why the same radialogist doesn't read  both sides of the scans.  For me the radialogist and my oncologist reads the scans.  My oncologist usually meets with us with in hour and goes over the scans.

            Good luck

            Linda

            lhaley
            Participant

              An MRI does not give you radiation where CT give you radiation.  Thinking that way the mri has a lot less danger to your body.    The MRI also gives you a lot of more info then a CT will. 

              I am not claustrophopic (thank G-d because I do have have brain mets).  However I do not let them cover my eyes.  Some people do have to take a valium.  I let my sell go into a cadence with the mri.  That is actually a really huge magnetic that makes the mri work. 

              By the way when a PET showed up something last year on my arm to follow through it was an mri on my arm – it was mel. 

              I would ask why the same radialogist doesn't read  both sides of the scans.  For me the radialogist and my oncologist reads the scans.  My oncologist usually meets with us with in hour and goes over the scans.

              Good luck

              Linda

              awillett1991
              Participant
                I’d say for a lot of people on ths board, this is the least of their concerns.
                awillett1991
                Participant
                  I’d say for a lot of people on ths board, this is the least of their concerns.
                  awillett1991
                  Participant
                    I’d say for a lot of people on ths board, this is the least of their concerns.
                    LynnLuc
                    Participant

                      I am stage 4 and  NED. I have had probably 32 CT scans, 12 PETS, 28 MRI's for the brain and also a few on the lower body so far.  This trial I am in also requires CT's of the neck chest ab and pelvic are as well as the MRI of the brain every 3 months. Melanoma will kill a person quicker than any of the secondary cancers that might rarely occur.  here is a simple website about radiation scans…http://www.xrayrisk.com/faq.php#q7. A person is exposed to radiation daily just stepping outside, not to  mention walking thru metal detectors when you go to many public buildings. I guess a person could raide a bus and avoid the scanning at the airport, but flying in itself also exposes us to radiation…

                      LynnLuc
                      Participant

                        I am stage 4 and  NED. I have had probably 32 CT scans, 12 PETS, 28 MRI's for the brain and also a few on the lower body so far.  This trial I am in also requires CT's of the neck chest ab and pelvic are as well as the MRI of the brain every 3 months. Melanoma will kill a person quicker than any of the secondary cancers that might rarely occur.  here is a simple website about radiation scans…http://www.xrayrisk.com/faq.php#q7. A person is exposed to radiation daily just stepping outside, not to  mention walking thru metal detectors when you go to many public buildings. I guess a person could raide a bus and avoid the scanning at the airport, but flying in itself also exposes us to radiation…

                        LynnLuc
                        Participant

                          I am stage 4 and  NED. I have had probably 32 CT scans, 12 PETS, 28 MRI's for the brain and also a few on the lower body so far.  This trial I am in also requires CT's of the neck chest ab and pelvic are as well as the MRI of the brain every 3 months. Melanoma will kill a person quicker than any of the secondary cancers that might rarely occur.  here is a simple website about radiation scans…http://www.xrayrisk.com/faq.php#q7. A person is exposed to radiation daily just stepping outside, not to  mention walking thru metal detectors when you go to many public buildings. I guess a person could raide a bus and avoid the scanning at the airport, but flying in itself also exposes us to radiation…

                          JC
                          Participant

                            also, MRI is not great for the moving lungs

                              killmel
                              Participant

                                The question from Tommy seems to be:

                                Is it possible to have a neck CT without scanning the head????? Can anyone tell if their CT of their neck,also included their head in order to scan the neck???? Does the head have to be scanned to have a CT NECK???

                                killmel
                                Participant

                                  The question from Tommy seems to be:

                                  Is it possible to have a neck CT without scanning the head????? Can anyone tell if their CT of their neck,also included their head in order to scan the neck???? Does the head have to be scanned to have a CT NECK???

                                  killmel
                                  Participant

                                    The question from Tommy seems to be:

                                    Is it possible to have a neck CT without scanning the head????? Can anyone tell if their CT of their neck,also included their head in order to scan the neck???? Does the head have to be scanned to have a CT NECK???

                                  JC
                                  Participant

                                    also, MRI is not great for the moving lungs

                                    JC
                                    Participant

                                      also, MRI is not great for the moving lungs

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