Hello all
When diagnosed with two tumours, my mammogram showed nothing so now I’m concerned about the efficacy, or otherwise, of x-rays.
I went to my GP complaining of hip/pelvis pain, hoping it would be arthritis (well it seemed to be the best thing to hope for!) but he said my range of movement was too good for even early arthritis so was sent for an x-ray. I have just heard that the result came back as “normal”. I haven’t been in much pain but then I’m taking painkillers for a trapped nerve in my right shoulder but I do still feel that there is something not quite right about my left buttock and although it’s difficult to grope both buttocks and compare, I do feel that there is a slightly larger, firmer mass on the left that isn’t there in the right.
Will the x-ray have been correct? Should I ask for an ultrasound? Maybe I’m being over caautious because of previous let downs.
D
I think the general rule of thumb answer on here is if you are worried go back and ask for further tests until you are comfortable.
I can’t comment on the accuracy of x-rays but I understand your concerns if you have previously had a scan which missed your tumour.
Hi Dahlia
xrays usually will only show anomalies in the hard tisses such as bone or joints( or in my job, teeth). They don’t pick up soft tissues such as muscle, fat or skin very well. it sounds as though your problem is therefore in the soft tissue. I Do you think your mass could be knotted muscle ie muscle spasm or a fatty lump called a lipoma (this is not cancer). It could well be some soft tissue inflammation in that area. If in any doubt as Lilac says, go back and get it checked out.
I had a bone scan - you have a small amount of slightly radioactive fluid injected in your arm, wait about three hours during which you are advised to drink a lot of water, then you are scanned by a machine on which you lie fully clothed. It does move very near to you which is a bit unnerving but it is the best at picking up what is called “hotspots” of activity in response to trauma or disease. These are in a characteristic pattern if caused by cancer. I had a bone scan that came out clear except for degeneration due to age.
See if you can get referred for one of these if you are worried.
Mole