CAT Scan vs. CAT Scan with Dye

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Maureen813
Maureen813 Member Posts: 2,893
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Had lumpectomy, 4 rounds A/C, 12 rounds Taxol and now onto radiation.  I went for my simulation and they performed a CAT scan, took measurements, board, tattooes and sent me on my way.  I get a call on Friday and told to fast for my test run.  Thought this was odd, so I questioned, really no response so my question is:  Anyone have CAT scan then a CAT scan with dye before rads tx?  I'm worried, posted on multiple threads.  One kind woman suggested I start my own thread.

In advance, thank you for any help you can provide. 

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited March 2011

    Maureen - Never heard of having a CT with contrast prior to rads.  Everyone has a CT  for the measurements but not this.  I would ask why they are doing this and what they are looking for before I allow the test to be done.  I would have to ask is this necessary.  I understand rad oncs can widely differ in the way they do things and I have followed many rads threads but this is something I would check out further.  Good luck to you in starting rads.

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  • kathleen1966
    kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
    edited March 2011

    I just finished radiation. I remember having a CAT scan for the initial simulation, then possibly more X-rays for the test run. I really don't remember if I got dye or not! Horrible considering I just finished! But I was told by all the technicians that these CAT scans and X-rays are NOT diagnostic. I was even told later that the images are not strong enough to make a diagnosis and would be too blurry to see anything if it were there. I hope this helps. I remember they called me the Friday before my trial run on Monday and told me I had to come in a couple of hours later. They told me the machine needed to be serviced. All weekend, I worried that this wasn't true, that they had found something and needed me to come in later so a doctor could be there to talk to me!!! Well, it turned out that the machine HAD to be serviced after all. Try not to worry!!! I am certain they would tell you right away if they saw something, which they wouldn't be able to see as the CAT scans or NOT diagnostic. And now.......a ......big.....HUGE......HUG!

    And just to clarify, as I'm certain someone will chime in about CAT scans.  I am only talking about the CAT scan for Rads not being strong enough to be of diagnostic value.  Not to be confused with regular CAT scans FOR diagnostic purposes. 

    Also, I wonder if this is an error made by the scheduling personnel. Possibly making a generic call regarding a CAT scan without realizing it is for Radiation purposes? 

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  • Maureen813
    Maureen813 Member Posts: 2,893
    edited March 2011
    Thanks ladies.  I already had the CAT scan for measurements etc.... they want to do a whole body CAT scan with dye, this is why I'm nervous.  Doc was off so no one to answer my questions, needless to say I'm worried today, sick of being blindsided by things. Frown
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  • melania
    melania Member Posts: 117
    edited June 2011

    Hi ladies ,

    I know its a n older post and by now hopefully u r even doen with your rads !!!

    But i cam up to your post and i got curious to know about your question. What was really the purpose of the other cat scan??

    I am suppose to go for the initial ct scan and i am really nervous about it and i wanna postpone it from friday to a weekday so that someone can read it , but it will postpone my rads , so if its not diagnostic i dont care , then i will do it on friday LOL!

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