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CAT scan show tumor? What is this ?

 
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Sniper82
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Joined: 26 Mar 2008
Posts: 4

PostPosted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 5:21 pm    Post subject: CAT scan show tumor? Reply with quote

Over the past could years I have been having occasional headaches, vision problems, ect. Normal over the counter meds would always work on the headaches. Over the past few months I've had ringing in my ears sometimes and body jerking as I'm about to fall asleep at night. This wouldn't happen every night but at least once every couple weeks. The ringing and jerking symptoms didn't come till after I started Paxil about 6 months ago for depression and anxiety so I am sorta thinking the Paxil could play a part with those.

Anyway I had vision problems come up again about a week ago with pressure feeling in my head so I went to the ER and they asked what my reason for coming there was because really I wasn't in any real pain, its just a annoying feeling more than anything.

Well I said I thought maybe they could scan my head so they did a CAT but without the dye which I heard was really needed to spot a tumor. The doctor said the tested showed nothing but told me to follow up with a Neurologist because I had so many symptoms they couldn't really do anything. I am going to my family doctor Tuesday because they have to refer me to a Neurologist. I did ask the ER doctor what the likeliness of it being a Tumor was and he said it was very unlikely.

I am mainly wondering is the dye really needed to detect tumors? Or is it good at detecting them even without the dye?

Sorry for the long post. Thx
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brainman
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Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3319
Location: Tennessee

PostPosted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:41 pm    Post subject: Re: CAT scan show tumor? Reply with quote

Sniper82, I am very sorry for your multiple health concerns. A CT without the die can in fact detect a tumor. The die helps to visualize its exact location, blood supply, and other things that would help a doctor have an idea of what the tumor really is.

Good luck.
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Sniper82
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Joined: 26 Mar 2008
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:13 pm    Post subject: Re: CAT scan show tumor? Reply with quote

so its likely not tumor related since he didn't see anything? I know no one can tell me for sure without further testing, just looking for some opinions.
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brainman
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Joined: 13 Oct 2005
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Location: Tennessee

PostPosted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 4:16 am    Post subject: Re: CAT scan show tumor? Reply with quote

I can only go by what the ER doctor told you. More often than not, they are right Wink.

You still need to follow-up with the neurologist to try to find out what is causing your symptoms.
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Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/
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solargo50
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Joined: 05 Dec 2007
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:32 pm    Post subject: CAT scan show tumor? Reply with quote

I had a similar experience with the ER doctor. I went to the ER after having a focal seizure. They recommended that I have a CT and saw nothing. They also recommend that I see a neulologist. He ordered a MRI with and with out contrast. The tumor was too small to be picked up on the CT. You should check it out with the neurologist and see what they think.

Hope everything goes well for you!
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Aimster
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Joined: 03 Jan 2008
Posts: 35
Location: Nebraska

PostPosted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:48 pm    Post subject: Re: CAT scan show tumor? Reply with quote

I also have heard that MRI is more sensitive than CT (can detect smaller and/or more subtle lesions). Some tumors will be enhanced by the contrast dye and therefore seen more clearly with contrast; others do not enhance (my tumor currently does not).

Seeing a neurologist to probe your symptoms in more detail is excellent advice. I hope this will turn out to be something straightforward and your tumors fears can be put to rest.
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Mama 2 2
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Joined: 29 Nov 2007
Posts: 42
Location: Sunshine Coast, BC

PostPosted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 1:02 am    Post subject: Re: CAT scan show tumor? Reply with quote

Hi Sniper,

It's best to be sure - my hubby was first given a CT scan at the er after having a seizure, and the doc told him it was likely a fluke due to stress, the scan didn't show anything and that 3% of people have a seizure of some sort at some point in their lives.

They were planning to do follow up tests anyhow, but when the results were sent to his family doctor two weeks later, it was the family doc who noticed 'something troublesome' as he said on the scan, and the next thing you know he had an MRI which confirmed a tumour.

Hopefully the meeting with the neurologist will help, as the brain is a funny thing and it can be from something else too . . . I sure hope you're feeling better soon and it isn't anything too serious.

~C~
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Sniper82
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Joined: 26 Mar 2008
Posts: 4

PostPosted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:07 pm    Post subject: Re: CAT scan show tumor? Reply with quote

thx for all the input guys/gals, I am going to see my doctor tomorrow. But yeah I am hoping its nothing to serious but we will see. I'll report back as soon as I find out something.
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brainman
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Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3319
Location: Tennessee

PostPosted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:25 pm    Post subject: Re: CAT scan show tumor? Reply with quote

Good luck at the doctors office. Hope you OK.
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Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/
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Sniper82
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Joined: 26 Mar 2008
Posts: 4

PostPosted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:12 am    Post subject: Re: CAT scan show tumor? Reply with quote

Well went to the doctor he brushed it off as Tension headache, Tremor and Tinnitus. He said there was really no need for a Neurologist because the Cat Scan didn't show anything but I can dig deeper and get a 2nd opinion. So I went ahead and had him refer me to one, unfortunately the one he referred me to can't get me in till May 2nd unless there is a cancellation. So I guess I'll play the waiting game.
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