Why X-Ray and not CT-Scan

As seen in another post my wife as been diagnosed with terminal Lung Cancer. 

Three years ago she had part of her left lung removed with the cancer and also some local cells which did not show signs of Cancer.

After the surgery she was, (under the NHS guidelines) to be monitored for a further 5 years. This meant appointments to see the Lung Specialist yearly and the Surgeon yearly arranged so she was seen every six months. Each appointment included a new X-Ray prior to the appointment.

Not one of these X-Rays give any indication of the cancer returning in fact we were told that every thing looked fine.

My dear wife asked for a further X-Ray in June because of a cough and both her and her GP were not happy that it showed nothing so the GP arranged a CT-Scan.

This showed enlarged Lymth Nodes and a return of a cancer in her right lung.

My question is what is the point of X-Rays as a means of monitoring the Cancer when if fails to show up. Is it the cost implications that stop them doing CT-Scans 6 monthly. This may have actually shown up some time earlier.

I am not sugesting this would have made any difference to the outcome but curios to understand why X-Ray not CT-Scan.

  • Hi Brian

    Am sure this is something many reader would like to understand more. My husband had chest x-rays before each consultancy appointment (roughly three  monthly) to show whether there had been any changes (he was diagnosed terminal right from the start and we were told this was purely to see changes from one appointment to the next which gave his medical team indications as to the rate of growth).  In his case they said x rays showed up more information for them to work with. He actually only had one CT scan throughout the 3 year journey (before full diagnosis).  Perhaps a call to the nurses on the number given on this page  could offer you more information (from landlines it is free). All the very best.Jules54

  • Hi Brian

    Im not sure of the reason for your wifes particular circumstances. The standard Xray is a single shot picture. CT scans are also Xrays but made up from multiple shots giving more detail. Each time I've been I've had a CT scan of the thorax. I'm aware that 2 such scans in one year gives the maximum permitted dose of radiation. Whereas several Xrays would be needed to exceed the maximum dose. There is a risk with any type of Xray actually causing cancer itself. So doseage is carefully monitored. I guess that there is a difference in price, although I'm told that this is not taken into consideration when deciding which scan you will have. However I know that the CT scanners are in huge demand, one of my recent scans was at night, the other at the weekend. So perhaps your wife was given an Xray instead of a CT scan due to availability.