which is the better method for detecting cancer, an cat scan or a mri?

Answer 1

Well... it depends on what part of the body you are looking at.

The MRI is usually better because it can tell one sort of soft tissue from another very easily, whereas the CT scan is best at telling bone/soft tissue/air.

CT can tell different sorts of soft tissue apart of there is a good degree of inflammation and change within the fat planes. Or sometimes it can be shown with contrast.

There are drawbacks with MRI - the scanners are slower and they still use the long tunnel version in the hospital I'm at. Because scanning time is slower and it is in the tunnel, some claustrophobic people don't cope. Also there is the thing with ferrous metals not being able to go in the MRI.

CT is quicker and in a skinny donut sort of thing. Scanning time is quicker and so it is often easier to get a CT booked.

Answer 2

Both are good. It depends on the kind of cancer. Mine didn't show on a CT scan, I had a special breast MRI and there it was.

Answer 3

Both are good methods for detecting cancer, and are often used in conjunction with other diagnostic tools for determining if a cancer has spread.

Been there and done that.