Disclaimer

Although we take care to ensure accuracy, Macmillan Cancer Support does not accept liability for the information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert or for any errors or omissions in them, or for third-party information or services such as other websites we may link to. The information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert are for information purposes only and are not intended to be legal, financial or medical advice or opinions. If you need more details on your rights, please contact a financial, legal or other appropriate adviser.

We recommend that you consult your doctor if you are concerned about your health. Any You should not rely on any information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert including by our Experts as they are not a replacement for advice, diagnosis or treatment from your medical team, and our Experts cannot provide a second opinion to that of your medical team.

Your question can be read by others – so please don't post your contact details or any other information that could personally identify you. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Community Guidelines for more details.

CT Scans

Gnk
  • 1 reply
  • 42 subscribers
  • 438 views

A family member got a pet scan following completion of treatment for throat cancer and had a follow up ct scan for shadows showing in stomach. 

The radiologist says there is a small lesion on the pancreas that needs an endoscopy to check but that it looks consistent with cancer. We've yet to get a date for details on what happens next although there was mention of the MDT. 

I was wondering how accurate a ct scan is for diagnosis (as opposed to just seeing something is there) and what the next steps normally are in this situation so any help is appreciated. Is this opinion likely to be the case or could there be other things that show up? 

  • Hi Gnk,

    My name’s Ursula and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists. Thanks for getting in touch, and welcome to the online community.

    I am sorry to read that you and your family member are going through what sounds like a worrying time.

    From what you have written it appears their consultant is being very thorough, and they want to get as much information as possible from the different scans and investigations.

    CT scans use x-rays to create a 3D picture of the pancreas and the organs around it.  However, they do not always result in a diagnosis.  In cases like this, when a diagnosis remains unclear the consultant may want to investigate further.  You mentioned endoscopy, this could be an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) or an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) these will provide more information to take to the multidisciplinary team.

    It’s understandable to be worried about the possibility of cancer but there may be other reasons related to issues with the stomach or pancreas.  Having these tests and investigations doesn’t automatically mean cancer but it does need to be ruled out.

    We understand that waiting for results can be difficult and the not knowing can be hard to cope with.

    You might find additional support by calling the Macmillan Support Line and speaking with a cancer information nurse specialist.  Although we are unable to diagnose, we can give you time to talk things through.

    We are open 7 days a week from 8am till 8pm. Our number is 0808 808 0000.

    I hope this information is helpful but if you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to get back in touch.

    Best wishes,

    Ursula,

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

    Ref: UH/VG

     

Help us do whatever it takes, because we’ve never been needed more.

© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007