scan error?

Posted , 2 users are following.

Hi,

so one of my best friends was diagnosed with skin cancer about 1.5-2 years ago (a melanoma to be precise). He found it pretty quickly and the treatment didn't wait too long too, which happened here in Belgium in September 2017: removal of a section of skin and lymph nodes on the upper leg and groin area. In the consequent checkups, they didn't find anything and so didn't perform chemotherapy.

In the meantime he moved to Canada where he did another routine checkup just this Monday and they found a bright dot on the liver on the scan (don't know what kind of scan it was).

They say it was likely just a "scan error" or a minor internal wound, in both cases it would be gone within a few weeks, but in the meantime there's more playing in our heads:

Back in Belgium, there was a patient next to him who was terminal due to diagnostic error, so I do believe in doctors, but also in their mistakes. Such an uncertainty eats at our moods as a tumor could be eating his liver.

So the question is: why did the doctor go over it like it was no big deal? Is (s)he used to soothing patients whatever the ordeal? Are scan errors that common? Or internal lesions? Is the timing or location illogical? Because it doesn't look like it 😦

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • Posted

    If your friend is concerned about the results of the liver scan, why not ask for a second opinion or even push for another scan which would eliminate the problem if it were indeed a scan error.

    • Posted

      Well, because there will be a second opinion but it will still take a while anyway. So the thing I'm trying to do is to live in a little less worries in the meantime.

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.