“CT scans?”
I was diagnosed with mild diverticulitis and UTI. I had deep pain in my lower pelvis on going and pain at the time of urination 6 months ago. I had 2 CTs with contrast 30 days apart only showing mild diverticulitis. I have since been diagnosed with bladder cancer tumors. Wouldn't those tumors show up on the two CTs if there at the time?
Female
Complaint duration: 12/ 21 to 3/22. 5/22 cancer diagnosis
Medications: Antibiotics 12/21 - today
Conditions: Reoccurring UTI and bladder cancer 5/22
3 Answers
Probably if large enough
Not necessarily. The best x-ray test for looking for bladder tumors would be an ultrasound test of the bladder. Looking into the bladder (cystoscopy) is the best procedure to have in looking for bladder tumors. A CT scan may not be able to pick up bladder tumors. Despite the fact that some patients believe that CT scans and MRIs are higher tech tests that should be able to detect anything, there are some conditions that they do not pick up well. You need to confer with your doctor regarding the best x-ray tests to detect any special conditions, like bladder tumors.
No, not necessarily. It is surprising how often a CT scan can miss tumors, including colon, bladder and other types of tumors. CT scans can miss lesions just like they can be read as finding something that ends up being nothing. It is my observation that physicians of all types tend to over-rely on imaging and the interpretations of radiologists who know nothing about the specifics of the case.
