Scans

Patients describe their experiences of ultrasound and other scans.

There are several types of scan which give pictures of the inside of the body. Some of these (ultrasound / trans-rectal ultrasound) look at the prostate gland and bladder. Local scans are undertaken to evaluate degree of local spread: most men do not have local scans, while others (bone scan, MRI, CAT scan) look at other parts of the body to see if the cancer has spread there. Some men mentioned that they had had ultrasound scans.  

Describes how maintaining a full bladder for the scan was uncomfortable.

Explains the process taken with an ultrasound scan.

Other patients described isotope bone scans, CAT scans and MRI scans. Some men were not sure exactly what type of scan had been used, but all were adamant that although scans might be uncomfortable or claustrophobic they were not painful.

Describes his experience of the MRI.

Describes how the bone scan caused him some anxiety.

Assures that the scan is totally painless but some could find it claustrophobic.

Explains the differences between the bone scan and the MRI.

 

Last reviewed January 2010.

Last updated January 2010.