how can a ct scan tell if you have a kidney stone or cancer?
922074
It will show up as an abnormal mass. CT's are highly specialized x--rays that cut the picture of your body up into slices (like if you chopped your body into a loaf of bread) to make a more 3D picture of it.  Alot of times they will have you drink contrast (a milk shake like dye) before they do a Gastro-intestinal (includes kidneys) CT.
305573
You'll need a thorough evaluation by a specialist in urinary tract diseases.  They're called "urologists" or "nephrologists". \n\n You also need to realize that arguing with the ER physician is totally counterproductive.  Niether you, nor I with my medical background, are capable of determining whether or not either of us has kidney stones based upon how we feel.  We both would need a battery of tests, including blood work and x-rays, to determine whether or not kidney stones are indeed present.\n\nSince you have history of kidney infections, it is entirely possible there is a locus of infection somewhere in your urinary system.  The specialist I mentioned is the person to determine whether this is the case.  There's a situation known as "polycystic kidneys" wherein there are cysts - a few or a lot - on the kidneys.  These can be reservoirs for infection.  That's by no means a diagnosis, just one of several possible causes for your bleeding and pain.  And if you're thinking it's possible to have a kidney infection without pain - you're right.\n\nSometimes you have to get pushy in order to get a proper evaluation and follow-up care.  The ER is a busy place and it can often get plenty crazy, and yes, people can be overlooked and sometimes, though no hospital would ever freely admit it, test results can be misinterpreted in the wild rush to treat everybody.  SO:  go to your own doctor and ask for a referral to one of those kidney specialists.\nIf payment is a problem, also visit your office of social services, who can help you deal with the unpleasant aspects of health care affordability.\n\nYou have my sympathy.  It's a real bi*ch when you hurt - and kidney problems can hurt like the blazes - and seemingly can't get the care and attention you need.
582440
See your doctor ,it could be a kidney stone or testicular CANCER.Get off your ass and get help.
712710
www.pancreas.org \nPancreas.org, a site for information and help with pancreatic cancer. ... may wait a month or more, until he/she improves, before the stones are removed. ...www.pancreas.org/patients/patients_ap_gallstones.html
19348
Especially if you are male, you need to see a doctor right away. My uncle, who felt just fine, suddenly had blood &, as he described it - "ickies & other matter", in his urine which quickly resulted in him not being able to go at all. Turned out he had advanced renal (kidney) cancer & was totally unaware of it. Please don't put off seeing the doctor, even if you find out it isn't something quite as horrible because I'd hate to think of anyone having to go through the mess he's just been through. And, before you think, "No, that couldn't be it;" stop to think of the fact that you aren't supposed to get blood & stones in your urine. Call for an appointment today, even if you have to visit a free clinic.\n\nGood luck!
813702
Relax:  No lamp jokes--I know a typo when I see one.  I myself was once in the position of finding a lump on my neck, and in my case it turned out to be cancerous.  Now, before you panic, keep in mind that this was five years ago, and you're reading words I typed; meaning that I'm still around to type them!   Lumps found on the body usually make one's mind scream, "cancer!"  That's why I threw this out.\n\nNOW, back to reality.  Since there's no way any of us on Yahoo can diagnose a lump we can't even see (and even if we were there to see it, most of us--myself included--aren't licensed to practice medicine), your next step should be to talk to your doctor.  You say that "they" found a lump, so I'm assuming that you mean your doctor... but if I'm wrong, he/she should be involved immediately.  I'm not saying to panic--I'm saying that time's important.  If the lump is painless, here's what's likely to happen next:\n\n1) Perhaps a chest X-Ray to check for signs of lymphoma, or perhaps even a full-body CAT scan.  I know it makes it sound devestating, but it's really only part of diagnosis; they need to know exactly what's wrong before they can correctly advise you on treatment options (or lack thereof if it all turns out to be harmless).\n2) A biopsy of the area.  Usually they do what's known as a "fine needle" biopsy, which is done under light sedation (you won't feel a thing) using a needle slightly larger than what they'd use to draw blood.  Their aim is to take a small sample of tissue to examine under a microscope to check the cells for anything abnormal.  The only pain you're liable to feel comes from the needle used to deliver the anasthetic, and it's very brief.\n\nI'd list more steps, but they'd all depend on the results from the steps above.  If you've been fighting an infection, you may just have a swollen lymph node which will return to normal after the infection's over with--no muss, no fuss.  If it is cancerous, it's not necessarily the "Big C" everyone makes it out to be:  If it turns out to be Hodgkin's Disease Lymphoma, you've got a form of cancer that's 90% curable, and even treatable--with intent to cure--if you relapse.  I know of what I speak.  \n\nPlease understand that I wish you the best of luck, and sincerely hope everything turns out alright for you.  Either way, if you find yourself needing to talk to someone who's "been there," or simply want to vent frustration while waiting for test results, please feel free to contact me via my profile; I'd be honored if I can help you in any way.
182525
Hi!Drink a lot of water and that's #1.The more fluids/water you drink, the least likely you are to developer stones and flush out the ones you have.That is very important. Cut down on the amount of dairy you take in. Apply a hot compress over the kidney and /or painful areas, or better yet, take a bath with 8 drops of any of the following 100% pure aromatherapy oils:lavender,orange,fennel (or if you want a blend, use a combo of 4 each. Hope you feel better!
193158
Kidney stones (calculi) are hardened mineral deposits that form in the kidney. They originate as microscopic particles and develop into stones over time. The medical term for this condition is nephrolithiasis, or renal stone disease. \n\nThe kidneys filter waste products from the blood and add them to the urine that the kidneys produce. When waste materials in the urine do not dissolve completely, crystals and kidney stones are likely to form. \n\nSmall stones can cause some discomfort as they pass out of the body. Regardless of size, stones may pass out of the kidney, become lodged in the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder (ureter), and cause severe pain that begins in the lower back and radiates to the side or groin. A lodged stone can block the flow of urine, causing pressure to build in the affected ureter and kidney. Increased pressure results in stretching and spasm, which cause severe pain. \n\nRead more at the link below:\n\nhttp://www.urologychannel.com/kidneystones/index.shtml
439152
you probably should check to see if your pregnant or this could be a kidney infection.
604050
Prostate Cancer, Renal Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Prostatitis, Incontinence, Renal Calculi, Cystitis, Retention..Most of the Cancers would qualify as one so I gave you a few more this is just the tip of the iceberg..
442753
Do you have dark yellow urine? You could have a kidney infection (they are located in your lower back on right and left side) or you could have kidney stones. As a stone passes, it can cause intense short term pain until passed. You need to see a doctor and have a kidney ulrasound done
827127
Actually, my mother has kidney stones right now. Stones are a buid-up of calcium usually in your kidneys ,or in  your uncle's case, your lymohnodes. Its usually quite painful when your sitting or putting any pressure on them. You usually just eventually pass them but sometimes it is needed to have them flushed out medically. Its not harmful ,,just painful.
87938
it may just be an infection or it could be a kidney stone....you need to see a doctor to know for sure.
363464
i think that means you are prone to have kidney stones. \nnow please don't worry. this information may not be true
1069165
Fortunately, surgery is not usually necessary, but 12 mm is a big stone so it could be possible. Most kidney stones can pass through the urinary system with plenty of water (2 to 3 quarts a day) to help move the stone along. Often, you can stay home during this process, drinking fluids and taking pain medication as needed. The doctor usually asks you to save the passed stone(s) for testing.  The most common medical treatment is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). This uses sound waves to break a kidney stone into small pieces. The bits can pass out of your body in your urine. Other times, a doctor will need to remove the stone or place a small metal tube in the ureter to keep it open while stones pass.
59967
I had my first (and hopefully last) kidney stone a couple of months ago. It started out with a general upset stomach sort of thing - felt like I might have diarrhea. I took Pepto Bismol (bad idea) and threw up a couple of times (so hard that I burst several small blood vessels around my eyes - it looked like I had red freckles). The pain increased but was concentrated on my left side, just below my ribcage, both front and back. I couldn't be still - I couldn't stand, sit, lie down, lean over, kneel, crouch, lay on my back with my feet up on the wall - believe me, I tried every position I could think of. The pain became excruciating and I finally went to the emergency room (where I sat for several hours). They did a CT scan and it showed the kidney stone. By the time I met with a doctor, the pain had receded quite a bit. They gave me a prescription for Vicodin, instructions to make an appointment with a urologist, and a stupid little plastic funnel with a screen so I could strain my urine and catch the little bugger if I passed it on my own. I ended up having minor surgery to remove it two days later.\n\nThe urologist told me that I would feel the worst pain when the stone was leaving the kidney and entering the ureter, then when it passed over a bundle of blood vessels near my pelvic bone, again when it entered my bladder, and again when it exited my bladder and made its bid for freedom.\n\nSo that was the long answer to your question. The short answer is PAIN. Lots and lots of pain concentrated on one side or the other, often in your back. Excruciating pain that literally makes you beg for your mommy.
1159297
Patients who have kidney stones usually do not have symptoms until the stones pass into the ureter. Prior to this, some people may notice blood in their urine. Once the stone is in the ureter, however, most people will experience bouts of very severe pain. The pain is crampy and spasmodic, and is referred to as “colic”. The pain usually begins in the flank region, the area between the lower ribs and the hip bone. As the stone moves closer to the bladder, a patient will often feel the pain radiating along the inner thigh. In women, the pain may be felt in the vulva. In men, the pain may be felt in the testicles. Nausea, vomiting, extremely frequent and painful urination, and obvious blood in the urine are common. Fever and chills usually means that the ureter has become obstructed, allowing bacteria to become trapped in the kidney causing a kidney infection (pyelonephritis).\nAlternative treatments for kidney stones include the use of herbal medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, acupressure, hypnosis, or guided imagery to relieve pain. Starfruit (Averrhoa carambola) is recommended to increase the amount of urine a patient passes and to relieve pain. Dietary changes can be made to reduce the risk of future stone formation and to facilitate the resorption of existing stones. Supplementation with magnesium, a smooth muscle relaxant, can help reduce pain and facilitate stone passing. Homeopathy and herbal medicine, both western and Chinese, recommend a number of remedies that may help prevent kidney stones.