How Can High Radiation Dose Was For Scan Affect?

Posted on Thu, 26 Dec 2024

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 Answered on

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello,

I am 28 years old and had an abdominal CT scan eight years ago, at the age of 20, without contrast, due to a kidney stone. At that time, I was shielded, but I don’t know how high the radiation dose was for that scan.

Two weeks ago, I underwent another abdominal CT scan—this time with contrast and a delayed phase (CT Abdomen before contrast and CT Abdomen after contrast). The scan was performed using a modern Siemens device (SOMATOM go.Up), and the total radiation dose was between 8.19 and 9.28 mSv. However, I was not shielded during this scan.

Now I am very worried that I might develop cancer years later because of these scans.

Can you explain the matter to me scientifically so I can understand the extent of the effect these rays have on my body? Also, why do I find many people asking questions online and expressing their fear after undergoing CT scans?

Thanks!

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (4 days later)

Brief Answer:
No cancer will appear due to this radiation

Detailed Answer:
Hello.

Thank You for the query.

The first and most important information: You would develop cancer from this X-ray long time ago and for sure it wont impact the future. Try to imagine that an x-ray damages cells right away. And those cells are eliminated by immune system. These cells do not cumulate. So the cancer would not appear after 8 years or even later.

Second thing is the dosage You have absorbed. Mostly dangerous dosage starts from 2 Sv. Yours is around 10 mSv which is 100 less than you have absorbed.

So FORGET ABOUT ANY CANCER CAUSES BY THIS CTS.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Saisudha Kotla