When Can I stop seeing my Radiation Doc?

[pbyers]

I finished radiation therapy 18 months ago. My rad. doc sees me every six months. Is this necessary? I see my Onc. every 4 months and he covers everything. My rad. doc just reviews what the Onc. has already done. Can I stop seeing the rad. doc? Just wondering what others do in this case. BTW. I am currently NED as of November 2011.
Thanks
Pam

[dianetavegia]

Ka-CHING $$$$

I have a friend who still sees the surgeon almost 4 years since her surgery (Stage III). Every time she leaves his office, they set her up for another appt. Same as with you.... a few questions, a poke in her belly and 'we need your co-pay Mrs. B)

[Bob_Weiss]

After my 5 weeks of radiation prior to surgery, I never saw the radiation oncologist again. Every 3-4 months, I have a medical oncologist follow-up; and an annual follow-up with the surgeon. I do not see what the radiation oncologist would add- the surgeon visually inspects my rectum and that seems more than adequate.

[ams5796]

I stopped seeing the radiation oncologist early on, within about a year of finishing radiation. I still see my colorectal surgeon every six months. He did my colon resection almost five years ago. Every six months he performs a flex sig. It seems very necessary, isn't it?

Ann

[justin case]

My rad/onc wanted to see me after 2 months. I had already had surgery, so she asked if she could schedule an appoitment in a couple of months just to see how I was doing. I have an appoitment this week by my request, to help me evaluate my oncs treatment plan. I am also using her to help get a refferal for a second opinion from another onc. So far she has been the only one of the team, to spend the time to explain my pathology results in detail. Everyone else has just said they are very pleased with the results, so let's get on with more chemo, and be sure to bring your checkbook
Regards,
Michael

P.S. As far as just the follow up visit, which I think is justified because radiation takes a few months to accomplish it's goal, she was not planning on any other subsiquent visits. Also I had surgery only 5 weeks after chemo/rad which surprised her.

[Guinevere]

I saw mine 6 months after ending radiation, he was satisfied with my progress as far as any radiation side effects went and said he wouldn't need to see me unless something new cropped up. <shrug> Just one less doc to poke and prod me but I do miss his sense of humor.

[Surroundedbylove]

I saw mine for about that 18 month time frame - every six months. He helped with treatment for the vaginal stenosis I had from radiation and also food and digestive suggestions for radiation damage in my colon. As long as there was open communication it was truly worth it. The radiation damage issues are frankly some of the biggest issues related to a return to "normal." I don't see him anymore but if I needed to, I could.

[weisssoccermom]

I can only give you my experiences. Once I was done, I was DONE! Never went back for any followup and frankly, not sure why it is necessary. Honestly, if I was worried about vaginal stenosis from radiation, I wouldn't see the rad onc...rather I would go and see a gyn...one who has experience in pelvic radiation (remember women who are radiated for gynecological cancers as well as others in the pelvic region, such as bladder also have the same rad issues) and skip the rad onc. IMO, it's just another doc that is unnecessary (unless of course, you still have skin issues which I highly doubt this far out). Any potential radiation proctitis is best handled by a GI or your surgeon, any female rad issues by, again my opinion, by a GYN specialist.

What is the purpose of the visit? Does the rad onc say? If all he is doing is reviewing the onc's recommendations and you don't feel it is necessary, then I wouldn't go. At some point, we need to stop allowing the cancer to control our lives. I, for example, have had it with the onc visit - going one last time but that's it. It seems terribly redundant to have the onc's MA take my weight, BP, temp, pulse, etc., ask me questions about my medications, then have the onc listen to my heart/lungs and poke my tummy and check my ankles. I say it's redundant because every 6 months I see my surgeon for a rectal flex sig and their practice does all the above (with the exception of the tummy/ankles). I also see my GP twice a year and she does all those things and more. I stopped all of these overlapping appts long ago because I just thought that they were ridiculous and it just kept bringing to my attention that I was dxd with cancer. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you should be lax about your health, but only you can decide whether or not you're getting 'overtreated'. If you're getting your blood levels drawn, having onc doc follow those results and are under the care of at least one doc, I personally don't see what the rad onc contributes....besides another copay and possibly more headaches.

Jaynee

[eitter]

Personally I NEVER followed up with mine, not by choice, I was just never told to, but I have heard on the boards here people keep seeing them, why I do not know?!

BUT what is odd you would have thought mine would want to see me considering all the damage they caused me! I have a frozen pelvis do to radiation damage, all my internal organs are fused together and it is why I have to have surgery every three months, it is the main reason I had/have a blood clot etc..... So one would think the Radiation doctor would want to see me?!

[Grace14]

When I go for my 3 month check ups I see him along with my Onc.!!

[NWgirl]

Like so many others, I felt seeing both my radiation doc and my oncologist as a bit redundant - and expensive! All he did was ask how I was doing, check my vitals and schedule another 6 month follow up. So I just quit going. Even during the years I was NED I continued to see my oncologist and I figured if something showed up where radiation needed to be considered, we could set up a consult with the radiation doc on an as needed basis.

[RayGirl]

I saw mine the day of my last radiation treament and never again. I see my onc every six months. I see my surgeon every three month for a flex sig or an annual colonoscopy. Funny there doesn't seem to be a standard of care. I liked my rad onc a lot better than my other onc and her staff is much more competent, so I wish my follow-ups were with her.

[Badass]

My rad onc wants to follow me for the development of late effects and to follow me over the years for his own stats. I am glad to provide him with stats but not to pay for the privilege. So, I will see how it goes as far as late effects and play it by ear.

[pog451]

I had my radio follow-up last week (3 months after completing treatment) and have another booked one year from now. Radiation damage can be a long-term thing, although i appear to have no effects and my radiologoist doesnt expect any to appear.