Question 1

i'm a 30 year old male. i had one ct scan done without contrast and now have to do one with contrast, is this a dangerous amount of radiation?

Accepted Answer

Benefit ;: Risk depend on indication for studies. We tend to select who to do both. Many scans  are now low dose. It's best to have a family doctor that knows you and decides when to do ct's rather than er which does more. The risk is population based, trivial increase for individual (1 in 10 thousand to 2/10k).

Question 2

is ct scan is the major risk factor for cancer? should i be worried if i had one ct scan at the age of 30yr?will it cause cancer later in the life?

Accepted Answer

A risk: Ct scan can cause a very small increase in the risk of cancer if frequent scans are done over the lifetime.  Currently, there is no guideline recommending the limit of ct scans.  Having one ct scan at age 30 is likely not to have any significant consequence.  Be sure to discuss with your doctor before each scan to see if it's medically necessary.

Question 3

hit my head again after recovering from first concussion, think i got a second one. ct scan came back normal, should the symptoms pass?

Accepted Answer

It's possible : It depends. Sometime you can have lasting memory problems for months after a concussion  or headaches frequently

Question 4

i had one ct scan to check lymphadenopathy. am i now at the higher risk of getting cancer?

Accepted Answer

No: Risk is related to accumulation of exposure.  One would need many more scans to increase risk significant enough.

Question 5

worried about cancer risk from one ct scan. what should be done to reduce the risk. am i at the higher risk of getting cancer after chest ct?

Accepted Answer

Ct scan: One exposure to a chest ctscan will not put you at risk for cancer.

Question 6

a cardiologist suggested a calcium score/ct scan but didnt know if that scan would show what a cta ordered for a possible pe would see. can you tell me if one ct scan would show blockages and/or a pe so i don't need two scans?

Accepted Answer

Calcium score: I believe that at least in some hospitals if the radiology department knows in advance, they can plan to visualize the coronary arteries as well as check for pulmonary embolism. If this is done, one wouldn't need to also have a coronary calcium score ct scan to assess risk of coronary artery disease. It's best to verify this with the radiologist.

Question 7

please help! what is the risk that an adult in his 20's will get brain cancer from having one ct scan done as an adult?

Accepted Answer

Very very low: If that happens, god forbid, it would be extremely unlikely to be related to the scan.

Question 8

is one ct scan of abdomen and pelvis likely to cause cancer?

Accepted Answer

Not usually one: Radiation dose from ct is about 100 times chest x-ray. However the exact number of scans to induce cancer is not precisely known.If ct is necessary for diagnosis it is very accurate tool. Most institutions have reduced amount of exposure in recent years. If same diagnosis can be made with mr or ultrasound, non ionizing radiation, they should be chosen.Certain medical problems ct is necessary.

Question 9

can one chest ct scan cause skin cancer later in life? should i worry about radiation induced cancer from one ct scan?

Accepted Answer

CT and skin cancer: One ct will probably not cause skin cancer later in life.  You should probably not worry about the radiation from just one ct in your lifetime.  Don't forget that going out in the sun gives you exposure to radiation (and vitamin d as well!).

Question 10

had 1 ct scan need to have another, is it safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes and depends: Always weigh benefit & potential change in treatment as a result of scan vs. Radiation risk of imaging. If it allows for no treatment or postpones next scan for even longer, even better.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

One Ct scan

A member asked:

I'm a 30 year old male. i had one ct scan done without contrast and now have to do one with contrast, is this a dangerous amount of radiation?

A member asked:

Is ct scan is the major risk factor for cancer? should i be worried if i had one ct scan at the age of 30yr?will it cause cancer later in the life?

A member asked:

Hit my head again after recovering from first concussion, think i got a second one. ct scan came back normal, should the symptoms pass?

A member asked:

I had one ct scan to check lymphadenopathy. am i now at the higher risk of getting cancer?

A member asked:

Worried about cancer risk from one ct scan. what should be done to reduce the risk. am i at the higher risk of getting cancer after chest ct?

A member asked:

A cardiologist suggested a calcium score/ct scan but didnt know if that scan would show what a cta ordered for a possible pe would see. can you tell me if one ct scan would show blockages and/or a pe so i don't need two scans?

A member asked:

Please help! what is the risk that an adult in his 20's will get brain cancer from having one ct scan done as an adult?

A member asked:

Is one ct scan of abdomen and pelvis likely to cause cancer?

A member asked:

Can one chest ct scan cause skin cancer later in life? should i worry about radiation induced cancer from one ct scan?

A member asked:

Had 1 ct scan need to have another, is it safe?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?