roadrunner wrote:I would be concerned about taking this relaxed an approach. The standard in most practices is 90 days. Even so, some studies show that recurrences happen in 15%+ percent of cases. Approximately 85% of these are “salvageable,” but the earlier they are caught, the better—there is less risk of an unsalvageable recurrence and greater potential for less radical salvage surgeries. Both benefits may be lost with additional time between scans and flex sigs. I understand “scanxiety”—believe me—but frankly, In my opinion it’s a small price to pay. And the cancer doesn’t care if you’re nervous.
Even more concerning, from the signature there appears to have been metastatic disease in this case. If so, that would suggest a need for increased monitoring, not reduced monitoring. Finally, while it sounds nice, I would be wary of an oncologist who uses the word “cured” under these circumstances (if he/she did) and within a year of the last known existence of disease (if I’ve read the information correctly).
I’m not trying to be negative or discouraging, and I just did a flex sig complete with scanxiety, but a little toughness and resolve now may pay huge dividends down the road. It’s a couple days of worry every 90 days for a couple of years in return for optimal management of disease and possibly many years of life. Just my view, but I think the benefits of frequent, comprehensive monitoring far outweigh the challenge of nervousness over what a scan or exam may show. Good luck!
mozart13 wrote:hi prs and the rest of the gang.
Just stopping by to say hi, 5 years in the game and score is on the my side. Just had last MRI-negative, CT was negative while back in the summer, scope, all good basically. Symptoms from chemo and rad will be there to remind me.
My surgeon said this is last MRI, as 5 years is up since CCR (actually will be in february ), but he will continue with scope, his choice.
In my neck of the woods TNT post CCR is now offered as standard care .
As Galileo Galilei said “And yet it moves.”
I am glad that I found this tread , helped me so much in making decision.
Wish best of the luck to all !
MadMed wrote:Outstanding, so good to see w&w success stories. Thank you for sharing mozart13.
MadMed wrote:Funny you should ask, I’m about to head out to get an MRI done. Simgmoidoscopy and DRE plus MRI results Wednesday.
I’m feeling anxious, hoping for W&W but aware that it is unlikely. I will report back as I find out.
Thanks for reaching out.
Jolene wrote:Wow ! Looks like we have our very first 2 cases of 5 years mark of NED while on WW on this board - both @PRS and @mozart123 ? Is that correct ?
Congrats to both !!!
On a side note, I just got official clearance on my 3rd year of NED on WW which should also reduce the chances of recurrence statistically !! Looking forward to the 4th and the 5th!
prs wrote:MadMed wrote:Funny you should ask, I’m about to head out to get an MRI done. Simgmoidoscopy and DRE plus MRI results Wednesday.
I’m feeling anxious, hoping for W&W but aware that it is unlikely. I will report back as I find out.
Thanks for reaching out.
MadMed, you are at eight weeks from the end of radiation so the swelling in your rectum should be pretty much gone. That should allow your doctors to make a proper determination of a CCR. My colorectal surgeon, who was the W&W expert, said it was the color of the remaining scar tissue that was one of the most important factors. I think that info is all here in this thread somewhere.
I also remember that tumor shrinking could continue for up to twelve weeks after radiation, so waiting it out another month might be an option if you are almost there after eight weeks.
Best of luck this week!
prs wrote:MadMed, you are at eight weeks from the end of radiation so the swelling in your rectum should be pretty much gone. That should allow your doctors to make a proper determination of a CCR. My colorectal surgeon, who was the W&W expert, said it was the color of the remaining scar tissue that was one of the most important factors. I think that info is all here in this thread somewhere.
I also remember that tumor shrinking could continue for up to twelve weeks after radiation, so waiting it out another month might be an option if you are almost there after eight weeks.
Best of luck this week!
Return to “Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum”
Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot], Google Feedfetcher and 169 guests