question about post treatment scans

[Teddi]

So, I finished my treatments, and am graduating to post treatment status. My oncologist wants to get a ct scan for a baseline, then, no more unless I have symptoms. That seems very odd to me, and frankly a bit dangerous. He was a good oncologist while I was in standard treatment, but I think I may need to find someone else for follow up. Does anyone else not get follow up scans?

Teddi

[PainInTheAss]

My onc first suggested quarterly blood tests and annual scans. I thought, at first, that this is only what insurance would cover.

We discussed that only 80% of tumors trigger a rise in CEA, so it was possible for tumors to go unchecked in this scenario. I asked why were doing it this way, then, and he said that because of my young age, more scans were a greater risk in developing other cancers at a later date. I told him that it was a joke among cancer patients that we want to live long enough to get cancer from our scans. He laughed and said we could change it to every six months if I wanted just like that.

What the hell kind of symptoms would you need to justify a scan? That's so scary. Yeah, I would ask for a change in follow up or find another onc who will give you the follow up you feel is reasonable. Some get scans every three months. I'm happy with six.

I just did my blood test yesterday and see the onc tomorrow because we are in between scan times.

[elise]

When I was stage 2, my scan schedule was every year with bloodwork every 3 months. At stage 4, ideally I would have done every 3 months but that's too much scanning (for my age -33- and considering my CEA has been very telling) so we do every 6 months.

If you're uncomfortable, I'd ask your onc to clarify why he's choosing this protocol. Mine didn't like the every 3 months scans because over the course of the next 5 years and beyond, its too much radiation and could cause a secondary cancer.

Elise

[Kick'nAssCancer'sAss]

I am scanned yearly. I think that should be the minimum you should expect.

[peanut_8]

My onc originally proposed the 1 ct scan post adjuvant chemo, followed by 3 month blood work. We discussed it a little at my appointment last week and have decided to go with an annual low-dose radiation lung scan for a year or 2. I'm more comfortable with the revised plan.
peanut

[behconsult]

I get blood every 3 months and scan every 6 months.

[horizon]

I do yearly scans.

[ANDRETEXAS]

As you can see, I had a scan at the end of chemo.....then two more three months apart.....now on six-month schedule. CEA was not and is not high for me.

[steveincolorado]

I completed my chemo treatment in March 2013. Since that time I have blood work every three months and a CT scan every six months. At some point if I remain in remission this schedule should change.

Steve

[DarknessEmbraced]

I get yearly scans and blood work every 3 months. I had my yearly colonoscopy early due to symptoms and it was clear so no colonoscopy for 3 years.

[Jacques]

Teddi - The standard follow-up schedule for Stage III patients -- as recommended by ASCO -- is here:

ASCO standard follow-up plan

If your doctor is using something else as a standard, then you might ask for further clarification.

[BrownBagger]

I was Stage 2a when I finished my adj chemo. I got a scan about 6 months after that which turned up a lung met. Had the scan been clear, I believe they would have put me on a one-year scan sked. Of course, now I get scanned every 2 months and I suppose I'll have to deal with the effects of all that radiation if I live that long. Ironic how the thing that's extending my life now, could very well end it later.

Well, hell. If I survive this nastiest of cancers, I guess I'm up for just about anything.

[ams5796]

I just graduated from three month scans to six month scans. We alternate between Pet/CT scans and CT scans. When I was stage 3 I got three month scans and then graduated to six month scans until I had a recurrence in 2009. We had a member on here a while back who had no scans for five years because his oncologist felt he didn't need them because of his NED status. It turned out to be a very bad plan. I would push for at least annual scans.


Ann