Question 1

what does lung cancer look like on a mri scan?

Accepted Answer

See below: Usually MRI scans are only done to evaluate for brain lesions in patients with lung cancer. Often the MRI is done with contrast and the lesions are enhancing (take up the dye) on contrast scans, .

Question 2

is a mri better for lung cancer or a ct scan?

Accepted Answer

CT scan: In general CT scan of the chest is the best test for diagnosis of lung Cancer. A PET/CT scan is sometimes preferred as it gives more useful information about stage of Lung Cancer. In my view MRI is a poor test to examine the Lungs for lung Cancer or for metastatic cancer in the lungs.

Question 3

what test is best to rule out lung cancer or lukemia ? mri with contrast or pet scan ? been having heavyness weak pulse for 6 months

Accepted Answer

Tests: The best test to screen for lung cancer,in my opinion, is a chest ct scan as a conventional chest xray can miss it. A simple blood test, cbc and differential, is adequate to screen for leukemia. These are screening tests but a tissue diagnosis is required in most cases for a definitive diagnosis. Your pulse description is nonspecific. An MD can check your bp  and pulse to look for abnormalities

Question 4

i understand that a ct scan is better than a mri for detection of lung cancer; however, will a mri still pick up lung cancer most of the times?

Accepted Answer

: A low dose chest CT is usually recommended to screen for lung cancer. The MRI may reveal abnormal findings, if a CT was not indicated.

Question 5

why would a mri be better at finding mesothelioma and a ct scan better at lung cancer or is there no difference for the 2?

Accepted Answer

There are distinct T: CT scan shows the lungs much better whereas MRI shows the pleural surface much better. Since Mesothelioma starts on the Pleural surface, it is easier to detect it on MRI although CT scan will also pick up most mesotheliomas once they grow to a moderate size.

Question 6

can ct scan miss lung cancer ? can an mri find it while doing scan on thorastic spine? both without contrast

Accepted Answer

It depends: Lung cancer shows up in the lungs in nearly all cases but sometime sit can be occult(too small to be easily visible). But 95% of the time a ct scan of the chest(lungs) will show it up easily.

Question 7

can spinal mri see lungs? or even lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

Not well: Lungs not well defined on mri. Spinal mr is limited mainly to spine and does not cover the whole area of chest.

Question 8

i had a mcrp mri and it  showed non specific atelectasis bilateral lung bases.  could this be lung cancer or copd?

Accepted Answer

Not cancer: Atelectasis is not cancer. It is essentially a sign that some areas of your lungs are not getting as much air due to either blockage or restriction of some reason. This can be seen with foreign objects in airways, scarring, infiltration or poor lung airway movement.

Question 9

my dad has metastic nsc lung cancer.  what does "increased t2 prolongation involving the right midbrain" mean on his mri?

Accepted Answer

Need whole picture: It is difficult to answer your question with this isolated finding.  Would have to know the patients entire history and have all data that is available.  The information you have could suggest a lesion/ mass in that area of the brain.  Please review the total MRI findings with the physician who ordered the study or the doc who knows your father's case best.

Question 10

would lung cancer have to invade spine to cause pain in upper back? present for 1yr. mri of throastic ok. my chest feels bubbly/sm cough recently.

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily: Tumor invasion into ribs or chest wall or tumor irritating the lung lining (pleura) can cause pain in the back or shoulder blade region.

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Doctor answers about:

Can an mri scan detect lung cancer

A member asked:

What does lung cancer look like on a mri scan?

A member asked:

Is a mri better for lung cancer or a ct scan?

A member asked:

What test is best to rule out lung cancer or lukemia ? mri with contrast or pet scan ? been having heavyness weak pulse for 6 months

A member asked:

I understand that a ct scan is better than a mri for detection of lung cancer; however, will a mri still pick up lung cancer most of the times?

A member asked:

Why would a mri be better at finding mesothelioma and a ct scan better at lung cancer or is there no difference for the 2?

A member asked:

Can ct scan miss lung cancer ? can an mri find it while doing scan on thorastic spine? both without contrast

A member asked:

Can spinal mri see lungs? or even lung cancer?

A member asked:

I had a mcrp mri and it showed non specific atelectasis bilateral lung bases. could this be lung cancer or copd?

A member asked:

My dad has metastic nsc lung cancer. what does "increased t2 prolongation involving the right midbrain" mean on his mri?

A member asked:

Would lung cancer have to invade spine to cause pain in upper back? present for 1yr. mri of throastic ok. my chest feels bubbly/sm cough recently.

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