“Risk of cancer from CTs?”
Hi, I am 65 years old, I am worried about the risk of cancer from all the CTs I have had. I have a rare autoimmune disease, dermatomyositis. So since 2018, I have had:
2018 - CT of chest, abdomen, and pelvis - contrast
2019 - CT of chest abdomen and pelvis- contrast
2020 CT chest, abdomen, and pelvis - contrast
2022 - CT chest just check. Hopefully no more CTs of the chest, abdomen, or pelvis.
In 2021, I got Pulsatile tinnitus 24/7. So one doctor thought it was from SSCD. So I Had all necessary MRIs and
2021 CTA of brain with contrast, ct of temporal bone, angiography of brain with contrast. I went for another opinion and Dr now thinks I should CTV of brain with contrast.
This is a lot of CTS. Could it cause cancer? What are your thoughts on above?Thank you
2018 - CT of chest, abdomen, and pelvis - contrast
2019 - CT of chest abdomen and pelvis- contrast
2020 CT chest, abdomen, and pelvis - contrast
2022 - CT chest just check. Hopefully no more CTs of the chest, abdomen, or pelvis.
In 2021, I got Pulsatile tinnitus 24/7. So one doctor thought it was from SSCD. So I Had all necessary MRIs and
2021 CTA of brain with contrast, ct of temporal bone, angiography of brain with contrast. I went for another opinion and Dr now thinks I should CTV of brain with contrast.
This is a lot of CTS. Could it cause cancer? What are your thoughts on above?Thank you
Female | 65 years old
Medications: Cellcept for dermatomyositis
3 Answers
RadiologistOncologist
you should make sure the machine is LOW DOSE CT. if so, then your risk of cancer would be similar to someone who flies across the county twice per year. I wouldn't worry about it. MRI is better for tinnitus.
Hello
You carry a diagnosis of dermatomyositis which is an inflammatory condition associated with skin rashes and other muscle weakness. You are taking Cellcept for this condition. Your physician is concerned with the possibility of the development of cancer, because dermatomyositis has been reported to be associated with cancers, particularly ovarian cancer in women. Because of this your doctor has been ordering screening CT scans annually.
In general CT scans are performed to include or exclude symptomatic conditions and to make diagnoses. You do not mention any symptoms that may be leading to the recommendation to perform these tests. Other radiologic tests including MRI scanning may be performed.
I
CT scans have been implicated in the development of cancers. However this risk is quite low and CT scans are used routinely for diagnostic purposes. You can learn more about this illness online. Mayo Clinic has a good discussion of this illness on their website (www.mayoclinic.org). Or you can perform a google search using the search term “dermatomyositis”. There will be multiple discussions of this illness.
It is best if you ask your doctor the reasons for ordering routine CT scans. If you have questions about your illness, the treatment, or routine scans, it might be best to get a second opinion at a recognized multidisciplinary clinic for an evaluation.
Good luck.
You carry a diagnosis of dermatomyositis which is an inflammatory condition associated with skin rashes and other muscle weakness. You are taking Cellcept for this condition. Your physician is concerned with the possibility of the development of cancer, because dermatomyositis has been reported to be associated with cancers, particularly ovarian cancer in women. Because of this your doctor has been ordering screening CT scans annually.
In general CT scans are performed to include or exclude symptomatic conditions and to make diagnoses. You do not mention any symptoms that may be leading to the recommendation to perform these tests. Other radiologic tests including MRI scanning may be performed.
I
CT scans have been implicated in the development of cancers. However this risk is quite low and CT scans are used routinely for diagnostic purposes. You can learn more about this illness online. Mayo Clinic has a good discussion of this illness on their website (www.mayoclinic.org). Or you can perform a google search using the search term “dermatomyositis”. There will be multiple discussions of this illness.
It is best if you ask your doctor the reasons for ordering routine CT scans. If you have questions about your illness, the treatment, or routine scans, it might be best to get a second opinion at a recognized multidisciplinary clinic for an evaluation.
Good luck.
There is a slight risk of cancer from CTs. There is usually a delay of about 10 years before a cancer develops. Most doctors think the benefits outweigh the risks. I would recommend that you ask your doctors if there is an alternative such as US or MR. If not I would have the CT if it is necessary.
