Follow up for signet ring cell

[chp]

Hi! Trying to decide if I'm being overly cautious. It's been 2 yrs since my surgery. I had a colonoscopy at 1 yr which showed a couple of flat serrated polyps. A ct scan showed a couple of tiny lung nodules which was followed with ct scan 6 months later. All clear. Now my oncologist says he's moving me out to 6 month checks and no more scans unless I feel something is wrong - he assures me I'll know if I have a met. Also says I don't need another colonoscopy for 3 years. Does this sound right. I guess I feel like I should be watched closer since it's signet cell, my current oncologist as well as the one I had before (had to change because of insurance) both seem to think since I'm 2a that my chances of it coming back Is next to nothing so go about your merry way and stop being silly. What do ya'll think? Am I being paranoid?
Thanks,
Cathy

[kiwiinoz]

Hi Cathy

A lot of us have had lung mets and were asymptomatic so I disagree with your Onc's comments about you knowing if you had a met as from personal experience that is not the case.

I would push for scans on a yearly basis until I had reached the 3 year mark. Signet Cell is a risk factor, so I would be cautious in your shoes.

If you don't feel comfortable with a colonoscopy once every 3 years, and your insurance covers it then do it more often

Kiwi

[steveincolorado]

My surgery was 2 years ago. I was placed on the six month Scan cycle for 3 years, than annually for 3 years. I too have signet ring cell carcinoma.

Steve

[Cb75]

I've had liver met and multiple lung mets.....no symptoms. I still have lung mets, no symptom. In fact, my O2 levels test higher than my very healthy athletic husband. If you are unsure, get another opinion and push for closer monitoring.

[Laurettas]

From reading your history, I would question the time frame for checkups. If I understand you correctly, you had surgery and a year later a colonoscopy showed two new polyps of the type that they think might be precursors to SRC cancer. Why, if you had new polyps so soon, would your doctors think that you are fine? That seems strange to me.

As far as symptoms from mets, my husband's only met symptoms came from his brain tumor. He had innumerable mets in his lymph system and no symptoms from them at all. And concerning the time between checkups, in my husband's case, 3 months was too long between scans. While on chemo, his mets had shrunk back to normal lymph node size with no abnormal metabolic activity. They put him on the wrong maintenance drug and within 3 months had massive amounts of growth of new mets. SRC moves fast--which in your situation, IMO, would indicate that you do not have any mets at this time. They would have shown up by now, I would think. But, the fact that you had new polyps would be my area of concern.

Please be sure to process what I have said with the knowledge that I am NOT a medical professional and am only giving you MY opinion based on my experience with my husband's cancer!