MRI or CT Scan

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vsudd
vsudd Member Posts: 52
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
My husband has been having CT Scans for his checkups since he was first diagnosed in 2010. He is seeing new Doctors and they are having him take MRI. What is the difference. Is one better than other?

Vsudd

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  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #2
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    CT -vs- MRI
    I found this site that gives some pretty interesting information on H&N Cancer. Below is a quick describtion of various tests;

    Tests:

    •Laryngoscopy —a thin, lighted tube inserted through the mouth to examine the inside of the throat

    •Panendoscopy—extensive exam of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, esophagus, and trachea using a fiberoptic scope

    •Fine needle aspiration —use of a thin needle to remove a sample of throat tissue to test for cancer cells

    •MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of the inside of the throat

    •PET scan —a special scan using radioactive glucose that circulates throughout the body; x-ray is then taken and the radiation shows up, showing cancer cells

    •CT scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of the inside of the throat

    •Incisional biopsy —surgical removal of a sample of throat tissue to test for cancer cells


    Throat Cancer

    I have only had CT or PET for scans... for throat cancer. I have had MRI's for things like muscle and soft tissue, tendons and ligament tears, cartilage. Mainly knees, shoulders, etc...

    John
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #3
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    question
    is this a straight MRI, or the new PET/MRI? The fidelity of a standard MRI, it's ability to resolve an image, is greater than a standard CT, but these new MRI/PET scans are, in some centers, likely to be used more and more in place of what we have been getting for the last decade.
  • jtl
    jtl Member Posts: 456
    #4
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    PET
    I was told that I will have PET scans for my follow-up. When I had my initial diagnosis my primary cancer did not show up on a CT scan, but it did on a subsequent PET scan.
    Regards,
    John
  • vsudd
    vsudd Member Posts: 52
    #5
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    longtermsurvivor said:

    question
    is this a straight MRI, or the new PET/MRI? The fidelity of a standard MRI, it's ability to resolve an image, is greater than a standard CT, but these new MRI/PET scans are, in some centers, likely to be used more and more in place of what we have been getting for the last decade.

    question
    I think it's just a MRI but I'm not sure. He doesn't get it till February. He will see the surgeon next month and I will ask. He has only had 2 Pet since he was diagnosed in 2006. One when he was first diagnosed and 2nd for recurrance , I thought that was to see if it had spread anywhere else. I am concerned he is not getting the correct test with new Doctors.


    Vsudd
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #6
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    jtl said:

    PET
    I was told that I will have PET scans for my follow-up. When I had my initial diagnosis my primary cancer did not show up on a CT scan, but it did on a subsequent PET scan.
    Regards,
    John

    "Choosing an imaging test"
    Search here for that thread, then follow the link in the thread to the same named.titled article.
  • NJR
    NJR Member Posts: 82
    #7
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    Explained to me
    I asked one of the Doctors in interventional radiology that exact same question last week. He put it in terms that even I could understand. He said the difference in the result between the two is that the powerful magnetic forces in the MRI literally align the molecules in the body in an order that allows the scanner to pin point the exact location where the tissues and organs are in the body. Old X rays are good for bones and CT images are good for soft tissue, however when it comes to finding the exact location in order to physically access the target (in my case a tumor)the MRI is the imaging device to use.

    I am sure this is greatly simplified for my limited ability to comprehend but it did make sense when someone else said it.

    Nick
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #8
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    vsudd said:

    question
    I think it's just a MRI but I'm not sure. He doesn't get it till February. He will see the surgeon next month and I will ask. He has only had 2 Pet since he was diagnosed in 2006. One when he was first diagnosed and 2nd for recurrance , I thought that was to see if it had spread anywhere else. I am concerned he is not getting the correct test with new Doctors.


    Vsudd

    Scan Frequency
    I've basically been on a six month regime' for the last two years post treatment. A PET, then six months later a CT, six months after that a PET. I believe they plan on doing that for five years.

    Prior, I had an initial CT, then tonsils out (primary cancer location) and a PET to follow before treatment.

    One CT during treatment to confirm the lymphnode (secondary cancer) was gone.

    PET three months post treatment, then the schedule above...

    Best,
    John
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #9
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    NJR said:

    Explained to me
    I asked one of the Doctors in interventional radiology that exact same question last week. He put it in terms that even I could understand. He said the difference in the result between the two is that the powerful magnetic forces in the MRI literally align the molecules in the body in an order that allows the scanner to pin point the exact location where the tissues and organs are in the body. Old X rays are good for bones and CT images are good for soft tissue, however when it comes to finding the exact location in order to physically access the target (in my case a tumor)the MRI is the imaging device to use.

    I am sure this is greatly simplified for my limited ability to comprehend but it did make sense when someone else said it.

    Nick

    Hi Nick

    That is just about what I was told at MD Anderson

    Also the cost of the MRI is about $4,700 and the CT about $1,650 last time I looked at one of my bills

    Hondo
  • vsudd
    vsudd Member Posts: 52
    #10
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    NJR said:

    Explained to me
    I asked one of the Doctors in interventional radiology that exact same question last week. He put it in terms that even I could understand. He said the difference in the result between the two is that the powerful magnetic forces in the MRI literally align the molecules in the body in an order that allows the scanner to pin point the exact location where the tissues and organs are in the body. Old X rays are good for bones and CT images are good for soft tissue, however when it comes to finding the exact location in order to physically access the target (in my case a tumor)the MRI is the imaging device to use.

    I am sure this is greatly simplified for my limited ability to comprehend but it did make sense when someone else said it.

    Nick

    Explained to me
    Thank you for the information. I feel better about the MRI . I wasn't sure since he has had CT's before.

    Thanks Again,

    Vsudd
  • NJR
    NJR Member Posts: 82
    #11
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    vsudd said:

    Explained to me
    Thank you for the information. I feel better about the MRI . I wasn't sure since he has had CT's before.

    Thanks Again,

    Vsudd

    Explained to me
    You are more than welcome vsudd. The only thing to fear from MRI's are the price tag as Hondo said. MRI has been a godsend for many thousands of people facing disfiguring surgery as it's accuracy is one of the first and largest contributors to minimally invasive surgery to date. Since it is so accurate there is no need for the surgeon to make large incisions and then go searching for the offending target thus making the term, "exploratory surgery" archaic.

    Thanks Hondo. I understood what I was told but putting it in my own words was another story!

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