CT scan radiation risks...

gogetter · Regular Joined: 13 Jun 2009 Posts: 20

Hello all,

I have a biopsy next week to determine the cause of my enlarged neck nodes, but before that I'm being put through a CT scan. It was only after I did some research that I discovered that I am about to be exposed to a huge amount of radiation. (Neck, abdomen, chest)

I'm concerned about this, anyone been through one of these? Do you feel sick afterwards or anything? If I don't actually end up having lymphoma now, such an amount of radiation could trigger another cancer some years down the road. Thoughts?

Also, for something like this, could I instead request an MRI (no radiation involved)?

Kermica · Regular Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 20 Location: New York

Gogetter, I have read most of your posts regarding your situation. I agree with most of the responders that it is probably not cancer but, like them, I am not a doctor so can only say that you have to do what you believe is best for you.

Regarding the CT scan, it is a routine part of the lymphoma identification and staging process. I have had multiple CT scans, PET/CT scans and other xrays in the course of my evaluation and treatment. My opinion is that the risk of future issues is far outweighed by the risk of my current condition if my medical team does not have accurate information.

From having read all of your posts, I think you need to buckle down and endure the tests that are needed to give you a definitive diagnosis of these lumps. You have been agonizing about them for weeks which cannot be good for you. Like others who have responded to you, I hold the opinion (and the hope) that they are probably nothing to worry about. Your need for clarity about them has pushed you to this point so go the last mile and get that clarity. MRIs are not useful in diagnosing lymphoma from what I have read so I do not think they are an option for you at this point. Also, millions of people have had CT scans without the issues you are referencing so I am not sure where you are getting your data.

Try to relax, get your tests and remember - life is good so enjoy it!
_________________
Press on - Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent - C. Coolidge

Age 58
Follicular lymphoma diagnosed August 08
2 rounds (20 each) localized radiation to tumor sites
Remission confirmed July 09

gogetter · Regular Joined: 13 Jun 2009 Posts: 20

[quote="Kermica"]Gogetter, I have read most of your posts regarding your situation. I agree with most of the responders that it is probably not cancer but, like them, I am not a doctor so can only say that you have to do what you believe is best for you.

Regarding the CT scan, it is a routine part of the lymphoma identification and staging process. I have had multiple CT scans, PET/CT scans and other xrays in the course of my evaluation and treatment. My opinion is that the risk of future issues is far outweighed by the risk of my current condition if my medical team does not have accurate information.

From having read all of your posts, I think you need to buckle down and endure the tests that are needed to give you a definitive diagnosis of these lumps. You have been agonizing about them for weeks which cannot be good for you. Like others who have responded to you, I hold the opinion (and the hope) that they are probably nothing to worry about. Your need for clarity about them has pushed you to this point so go the last mile and get that clarity. MRIs are not useful in diagnosing lymphoma from what I have read so I do not think they are an option for you at this point. Also, millions of people have had CT scans without the issues you are referencing so I am not sure where you are getting your data.

Try to relax, get your tests and remember - life is good so enjoy it![/quote]

Thanks for the reply Kermica, it seemed as if the board was being completely phased out for a bit there.

You're right, I need to simply stop stalling and sweating over this. I'm scheduled for the CT scan for the morning, with IV for contrast etc. The reason I was being indecisive and worried was because family members have been blasting me about all the procedures I need to have done. Mother and father, brother, and friends. Its really gotten to me to be honest, just because they are all in good health, they refuse to believe I could be in serious peril here.

I kind of lurch from one emotion to the next during different times of the day, and at least by this time next week I should know definitively. I will also be undergoing further blood tests tomorrow, I'm actually hopeful toxoplasmosis or Cat Scratch shows up. In the event of a negative biopsy, that would be where the problem arose in all likelihood.

Don · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 9:48 am Post subject: Re: CT scan radiation risks...

Just some remarks about your dilemma. I have had numerous CT scans of my groin, abdomen and thorax and I raised the issue of the radiation with my GP and with the oncologist. The doctors like the imaging as it gives them more than a normal x-ray.

My GP said that there could be some concern, but that I had a disease that could be a problem and that is worth the risk. Besides, if I do get secondary tumors from the radiation, the CT scans themselves would catch them early.

My oncologist said that it could be a problem if I lived to 120. I think he wants me to keep getting the scans.

So, I still get them.

As far as the effects. I alway schedule mine as early as I can. You have to fast for 3 hours and drink that barium sulfate, which is like drinking a chalk milkshake. It always give me diarreha; this morning I went twice before I left and just made it to the hospital rest room (nothing like giving nasty details).

But since it is early, I can go to McDonalds afterwards for a large cup of coffee and Egg Burrito.

I haven't started glowing in the dark yet.

Good luck.
_________________
Don B
Dec 07 Dx Follicular NHL, Grade I (Indolent)
Stage IIIA - No Symptoms
Watch and Wait - 6 Month Checks
Jan 09 Scan shows Progression - no symptoms
May 18, 09 - Started R-CVP
After Third Round, CT scan showed some tumor shrinkage
July 31,09 - Completed 6 Rounds R-CVP

gogetter · Regular Joined: 13 Jun 2009 Posts: 20

I had the CT scan last Friday, it was totally fine really. I did the fasting, drank the drink, had the iodine IV for contrast, and the actual scanning machine had only just been installed, a state of the art Siemens multi-slice. I was told if I had to have a CT scan, this was where to have it, so I felt better.

I also had my biopsy surgery on Tuesday of this week, and I'm still groggy and sore after it, lol. It was a bigger deal than it had been made out to be. Everyone else in the daycare had brought carry bags, the nurse asked me where mine was, I said all I had was my phone to keep me occupied for the day... no slippers or anything that I needed. Anyway, it was under general anesthetic, so it really was pretty full-on... wheeled out from one place to another. I didn't respond too great to either the local or general anesthetic, I went deathly pale, which freaked out my nurse, and the local has only just worn off! I thought I had bad nerve damage for a minute there....Now I await results. But at least I've done everything possible now to have myself diagnosed right?

4hope · New User Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 5 Location: California

Best of luck GG !!!!! If all comes back negative you will have a BIG peace of mind and would be able to live without constant worry and fear - in my opinion it was worth it !

May all of your results come back clean and perfect in every way !!!

joepet · Senior User Joined: 18 Dec 2008 Posts: 286 Location: Japan

Good luck man! Hope the results bring the peace of mind you're looking for.
_________________
Age 37 (36 at diagnosis)
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 1AE (localized in colon)
Began six cycles of R chop 21 3rd Dec 2008
Finished R chop 21 Apr 2009
Complete remission as of May 2009

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