How Does An Mri Tell The Difference Between Tumors And Other Masses?
My husband had another MRI. Now they said he has a mass in his colon. They also called it a tumor. How can they tell this with the MRI? The mass could be something else. According to what I have read, lung cancer does not go to the colon.
The word “tumor” really just means mass. That does not imply that it is “cancer”, although most people associate tumor with cancer, which is what I think you are worried about. Although depending on the way it appears on the imaging, a tumor may look more cancerous than, say an infection or a benign growth does. A diagnosis depends on the rest of the clinical information (e.g. if there are other masses or metastatic looking lesions else where in the body) or a biopsy of this mass.
Hope this helps.
Once it metastasises cancer can spread to any part of the body. The MRI only shows whats there the doctors interpret that information based on their knowledge of the patient. MRI cannot actually tell its actually cancer it shows any mass or growth as a picture only.
MRI is not going to be a be-all end-all examination to decide whether something is simply a mass or a tumor. The doctor can make an intepretation on the images from the fact that there will be a difference in contrast on the images from the normal tissue to the abonormal tissue however blood work and biopsy would be needed to confirm it is cancer.
Lung cancer can metasize to the colong. It’s not a primary site but it is possible.