I am writing this about my father in-law. He recently visited his doctor due to frequent urination. Apparently he's had this for a while and had been treating it with medication to no avail. The doctor told him the next option was surgery, but he would need a CT scan prior to surgery. He went in for his CT scan yesterday. They called him later that afternoon and asked him to come back in for a second scan today. I know he was having severe lower back pain yesterday as well.

My question is, would they call him back in for a second scan if they didn't get a good read the first time around? I thought the person performing the CT scan actually saw the images at the time it's performed. Wouldn't they know before they let you leave that the images weren't any good? If they call you in the same day for a second scan does that mean there's something they saw that they want to more images of?

Has anyone on this board that currently has or had prostate cancer diagnosed via CT scan?

I would appreciate any insight. Thanks

CT scans are generally not used to diagnose prostate cancer, because prostate cancer tends to initiate and spread via tiny masses. One report indicates that CT scans are only 50% effective at spotting localized spread of prostate cancer. Currently prostate cancer is usually diagnosed by noting an elevation in PSA, and then doing a biopsy.

Make sure that your father in law is consulting with a competent urologist, regarding the frequent urination issue. A lot of time, general practitioners do not have the expertise to diagnose urological problems.

All Sevens

Thanks for your response, it makes perfect sense. I don't believe his PSA's were elevated and there's been no discussion of a biopsy. He is seeing a urologist rather than his general physician. Your insight is encouraging and I feel more relieved having read it.

Thanks again