Nancy591 I have a question for you

cancer survivor x 4
cancer survivor x 4 Member Posts: 177
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi,
When you had your CT scan, did you drink that white milky stuff and then did you have an iodine injection? I am asking did you have a CT scan with and without contrast? I was under the impression that a CT scan picked up anything bigger then 1mm. Thank-you

Comments

  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #2
    ct scan
    All my scans were with and without contrast. I've had both types of contrast. I drank the white chalky stuff, followed by idodine and the other ct scan was the crystal light type drink. I hate to scare people but the ct scan did not pick up my reoccurence. The pet scan showed an unmeasurable hypermetabolic area. It wasn't until I had a colonoscopy that the size was able to confirm. The area measured 13mm. My ca125 is still normal. If my surgeon didn't push for the pet I would have been given the all clear. I, personally, will always want a pet scan from now on.
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #3
    ct scan
    see below
  • ildragonfly
    ildragonfly Member Posts: 2
    #4
    CT scan
    Hi...not sure if I should respond to question you asked...I'm totally new to the site and have never even been on facebook! ;)
    My experience was that I did have contrast and barium with each CT scan I have ever have done (I've had them every 3months since 2002) and neither of my reoccrring tumors have shown up on the CT scan...The scans always appear clear. My oncologist always pays more attention to tracking the rise and fall of my CA-125 than the scans. Both times he ordered PET scans when he noticed the difference in my CA-125 scores. The PET scans as you know, show the metabolic activity of the tumor (responds to the radioactive sugar injection) and appear as firebals on the scan. The first one detected with the PET scan was about golf ball size and the most recent about size of grapefruit. He explained that because of the way they have been attached to the pelvic wall and position on the outside of the colon, they could not be detected by a CT scan. Hope this is helpful.
    ildragonfly
  • cancer survivor x 4
    cancer survivor x 4 Member Posts: 177
    #5
    ildragonfly said:

    CT scan
    Hi...not sure if I should respond to question you asked...I'm totally new to the site and have never even been on facebook! ;)
    My experience was that I did have contrast and barium with each CT scan I have ever have done (I've had them every 3months since 2002) and neither of my reoccrring tumors have shown up on the CT scan...The scans always appear clear. My oncologist always pays more attention to tracking the rise and fall of my CA-125 than the scans. Both times he ordered PET scans when he noticed the difference in my CA-125 scores. The PET scans as you know, show the metabolic activity of the tumor (responds to the radioactive sugar injection) and appear as firebals on the scan. The first one detected with the PET scan was about golf ball size and the most recent about size of grapefruit. He explained that because of the way they have been attached to the pelvic wall and position on the outside of the colon, they could not be detected by a CT scan. Hope this is helpful.
    ildragonfly

    CT Scan
    Then what good is a CT Scan? It seems as though all of us should have a Pet Scan. The reason I am so concerned is because my CA-125 is a 6 and I just had a clear CT Scan. I do not see the oncologist or have another CA-125 for 12 weeks. Thank-You
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #6
    cancer survivor x 4 said:

    CT Scan
    Then what good is a CT Scan? It seems as though all of us should have a Pet Scan. The reason I am so concerned is because my CA-125 is a 6 and I just had a clear CT Scan. I do not see the oncologist or have another CA-125 for 12 weeks. Thank-You

    sorry to scare you!
    It really does stink, doesn't it? I thought my ca125 was reliable. I was at 720 prior to surgery. Before chemo I was at 70. My lowest number was 7. My ca125 has been slowly rising 2 points or so every month and is now at 17. Not very high, still normal. I find the whole thing very discouraging. I know its hard not to worry but if you are not having symptoms try to enjoy your remission! My surgeon pushed for a pet because I was having symptoms of a bowel obstruction.
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #7
    Yes, Indeed
    Yes, my CT scans are done with the barium (white milky stuff) and the iodine dye (given by IV) They do pelvis and abdomen, two scans with each. My first CT's would only show 1 cm or larger tumors but they have decreased this with the later ones. 1 mm is really small.... I don' t think that I have had one that sensitive in the 2.75 years I have been having them. Saundra

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