Talk Cancer » Cancer Symptoms » MRI versus Cat scan
MRI versus Cat scan
Question:
Can anyone tell me which is most effective? I need to know ASAP. Thanks, Rita
Response:
Can anyone tell me which is most effective? I need to know ASAP. Thanks, Rita Depends on what you need to know. In general, CT is easier and less expensive and may be best for many things, especially in the abdomen. MRI, however, is better for other things, particularly in the head and neck area. Could you be more specific? Rick Orr
Response:
Sorry I wasn’t more specific Richard..My brother had a cancereous tumor removed from a lung about two months ago, and they got all the cancer…They said he was cancer free. Well, now he is going to have follow ups to watch for anything and wanted me to ask you all which was the superior way of looking for anything that may show up…..I’ve done some research and it looks like an MRI is the best way to go, unless someone convinces me by Monday anything different…Thanks, Rita
~~RITA~~
Response:
Can anyone tell me which is most effective? I need to know ASAP. Thanks, Rita
It’s my understanding that the MRI gives the highest resolution test results, and a Cat Scan gives the next highest resolution test results and XRAYS give the lowest resolution test results. Which test is the Doctor asking for? Abe S.
Response:
I’m so sorry! I forgot to remove my signature picture that I use in another group…..I’m very sorry!!!!!
Response:
Sorry I wasn’t more specific Richard..My brother had a cancereous tumor removed from a lung about two months ago, and they got all the cancer…They said he was cancer free. Well, now he is going to have follow ups to watch for anything and wanted me to ask you all which was the superior way of looking for anything that may show up…..I’ve done some research and it looks like an MRI is the best way to go, unless someone convinces me by Monday anything different…Thanks, Rita They will most likely do CT scans – MRI is much more expensive and a bother for the patient (lying still in an enclosed area for a longer period of time.) Unfortunately, there is very little evidence that early detection of recurrence matters – therefore you don’t lose anything by doing CT – some docs would do only chest X rays and reserve CT for abnormalities on chest X ray or new symptoms.