CT scan

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Buxton
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 4:34 am

CT scan

Postby Buxton » Tue Jan 10, 2023 3:14 pm

It’s just over nine years since my bowel cancer surgery. At the magic five year mark when I saw my colerectal nurse for the final appt she suggested I might consider a CT scan in January this year. Which is now! It is mainly for reassurance as I get very anxious. I’ve not had any symptoms since surgery and the decision on the scan is up to me. I’m trying to convince myself that ai don’t need it. My final colonoscopy was five years ago and all clear. I would have to pay for the procedure as well. My Dr says it’s ‘unlikely’ to show any problems but of course he can’t say there won’t be. Any thoughts?

Suelee20
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat Dec 31, 2022 1:44 pm

Re: CT scan

Postby Suelee20 » Tue Jan 10, 2023 3:50 pm

Hi Buxton,
My only experience is as a caregiver for my husband. I know our anxiety levels which is different between the two of us. My only offer is that I’d rather know earlier than later. My mental state is currently in fight mode for my husband so I feel like I’m learning as much as I can about the enemy.

But I can understand that you’d feel very differently. If you do go in, I wish you great news!! And considering you’re not experiencing any symptoms or have any concerns, I feel good that you’ll be able to get rid of that dreadful feeling for awhile.
Wife of DH (52); DX 9/27/18; CEA 22.9
10/31/18 LAR; Rectosig;6.2x4.5x1.1cm; Inv adenocarc; LowGr; pT4bN2b;tumor inv through muscularis propria into pericolorectal soft tissue;tumor inv peritoneal memb, ext to the serosal surf,inv the pelv sidewall;LN - 8/27;neg margins;WT-KRAS,NRAS,BRAF; MSS
Surg2/21(liv)
Ablat3/19(liv)
AdjChemoRT+Cap8/19(pelv)
Cykniferad1/20(liv)
SBRT12/21(lungs)
Stent6/22(rect)
CAPOX+Bev(4x);Folfiri+Bev(5x);Cap+Cetux(5x);Capiri+Cetux(14x);Oxali+Cetux(7x)
1/23Capiri+cetux totrytoslowprog

Buxton
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 4:34 am

Re: CT scan

Postby Buxton » Sat Apr 08, 2023 4:37 pm

Thanks Suelee. I’m still dithering and I suspect my colorectal nurse and my GP are losing patience. The advice always is ‘it’s up to me!’ I suggested wait until next January and the nurse was ok with that. But as you wrote, it would be nice to get it out of my head. It costs a bit too as it’s not a referral to the public hospital Sigh ….

Buxton
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 4:34 am

Re: CT scan

Postby Buxton » Mon Sep 11, 2023 3:49 am

Well, I finally had the scan a few days ago! No polyps thankfully. An inguinal hernia found and I’ll talk to the Dr tomorrow. I can’t see any sign of it and there are no symptoms. Anyway, it’s good to finally have the scan. Should have done it months ago. Thanks for the advice and help.

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3816
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: CT scan

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Sat Sep 16, 2023 12:09 pm

I'm glad you had no polyps! Sorry about the hernia. *hugs*
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)

Buxton
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 4:34 am

Re: CT scan

Postby Buxton » Sun Sep 17, 2023 4:36 am

DarknessEmbraced wrote:I'm glad you had no polyps! Sorry about the hernia. *hugs*

Dr and nurse just said to leave the hernia alone. I was looking through my notes from the surgery ten years ago and the hernia was mentioned then! So it’s not new and maybe it’s time to take a deep breath and convince myself that I’m ok!

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3816
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: CT scan

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Sat Sep 23, 2023 12:32 pm

I'm glad it can be left alone. :)
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)

rp1954
Posts: 1853
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2011 1:13 am

Re: CT scan

Postby rp1954 » Sat Sep 23, 2023 3:09 pm

I'm going to assume a CT scan's cash cost is equal to $500 - $1200.

My questions are:
1. what was your highest CEA near diagnosis/before surgery 10 years ago, and
2. how much are various blood tests? partly covered? Since you are wrestling with prostate issues there is a double risk aspect that overlaps CRC both mathematically and with blood panels. An abbreviated baseline blood test for CRC, say CBC with differential, an expanded chemistry that includes LDH, and CEA can be pretty cheap, e.g. CEA an extra $10-15, or a money grab $50-100+, if you don't shop. That set is also pretty good for metastatic prostate cancer, combined with a PSA. On the low stage end, there are more expensive CRC tests that also contribute some risk info to risk assessments.
3. Since you are late 70s, do you consider yourself beyond positive risk/benefit on one last colonoscopy?
watchful, active researcher and caregiver for stage IVb/c CC. surgeries 4/10 sigmoid etc & 5/11 para-aortic LN cluster; 8 yrs immuno-Chemo for mCRC; now no chemo
most of 2010 Life Extension recommendations and possibilities + more, some (much) higher, peaking ~2011-12, taper chemo to almost nothing mid 2018, IV C-->2021. Now supplements

Buxton
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 4:34 am

Re: CT scan

Postby Buxton » Sun Oct 15, 2023 2:13 am

Hi. I don’t remember any Cea readings before surgery. I was sent to A@E with a pain in my gut after two weeks of antibiotics. I was admitted and given a scan and four hours later was having an emergency right hemicolectomy. Just in time they said, as the bowel was beginning to perforate. As my surgeon said, another night we could have lost you! However, every blood test and colonoscopies have been ok since. No charge for anything except the colonography which was private. $1,100 NZ. The system in New Zealand is probably different from some countries. I was too old for another colonoscopy which is why I opted to pay for the scan. Peace of mind. I’m really pleased I had it as there were no concerns mentioned. Sorry I can’t give more detailed information.


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