Where to go for accurate diagnosis?

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  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,287 Member
    #22
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    I Did Some Research

    And I think he is right that a CT without dye will show problems and Sometimes, a special dye called a contrast medium is given before the scan to provide better detail on the image. Keep in mind once the doc actually finds a lump or suspected area that For most types of cancer, a biopsy is the only sure way for the doctor to know if an area of the body has cancer. In a biopsy, the doctor takes a small sample of tissue for testing in a laboratory. You have seen a number of doctors or ENT's, had blood and possibly other tests, and finally visited another ENT who you describe as very thorough and in fact ordered a CT scan for you and says it shows no abnormalities. The folks on this forum have been recommending you get a CT Scan since the doctor's seemed reluctant go authorize one and now you have gone to a doctor that has finally agreed and authorized one so, It seems you have been checked pretty well so is there any reason why you do not trust this latest evaluation by what you describe as a very thorough ENT. If he thought there was a problem the next step would be to get a biopsy of the area or lump to determine, "Is it cancer and what type is it. Apparently, he is satisfied there is no problem or he would go to the next step with a biopsy and by the results of him seeing no abnormalities, there is nothing to biopsy. You may have some sort of a problem but the scan is clean and not showing problems unless you don't trust the results and or the ENT's diagnosis. Below are several links about CT scans and cancer diagnosis please check them out they may be helpful-Take care-God Bless

    https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/head-and-neck-cancer/diagnosis

    https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/tests/ct-scan-for-cancer.html

    https://imaging.cancer.gov/imaging_basics/cancer_imaging/ct_scans.htm

  • johnsonbl
    johnsonbl Member Posts: 266 Member
    #23
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    CT with or without dye...

    Given the location of what you are describing they don't actually recommend contrast for sinus area abnormalities.  The good news:  you appear to have been pretty throroughly checked over.  Typically, ENTs are able to locate either visually or on scan head and neck cancers.  Most patients have spread to neck lymph nodes or visible masses.  What can't be seen by eye is most often picked up on various images.  The bad news:  There are of course instances where things just don't appear and you literally have to wait and see.  Also good news:  Your presentation is not typical of what most folks on this board have experienced leading up to their diagnosis.  Given that head and neck cancer, in the grand scheme of things, is fairly rare and your presentation is atypical and multiple ENTs have looked you over...chances are good that it's NOT cancer.  That of course, doesn't discount what you are experiencing and still leaves you with unanswered questions.

    This just might be one of those times where the wait and see approach is the only option.  Wishing you the best of luck.

    Brandon

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