1St PET scan after treatment

Hello everyone.  My dad is having his first PET scan after 4 cycles of R- CHOP for stage 3 B cell lymphoma.  does anyone know tthe statistics of how well the treatment works?  I know this sounds like a dumb question but I need to prepare myself as I am afraid that if he is not responding, then he will not continue the treatment.  I have tried to research the statistics, which seem fairly high for a remission rate but thought I would put it out on the table as you are all so very educated on this topic.  The waiting 6 days to review results is killing me

Comments

  • Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3
    Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 Member Posts: 3,803 Member
    Progress

    Cnewtrn,

    How many cycles is your dad  scheduled for ? Was he planned for only four cycles, or several more ? Some people take as many as 8, 10, or 12 cycles of various chemos, depending on what the doctor feels is necessary.  If he is scheduled for numerous more cycles, the doc may be checking at this point just to verify the sort of progress he expects. On the pther hand, if he was initially scheduled for just these four, then he may be hoping for full remission at this point, if the clinical objective was  full remission.  One more question: Is he scheduled for any radiation ? Some people on chemo get some radiation, and some do not.   Review his treatment plan and you will have a better expectation of what to look for when you go for the results. I hope all is great for the both of you !

    max

  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    B cell lymphoma...

    Hi,

     I had 6 rounds of CVP-R chemo for my Follicular NHL. I did very well and so far after 2 1/2 years of treatment and maint Rituxan, no new problems have developed. What is your dad's sub type? It would help to know, as others here may have the same sub type and will have first hand info to share with you. Waiting for scan results is very hard on all of us and we can relate 100% with how you are feeling. My prayers are with your dad that the chemo is doing it's job. Please share back with the results of his scan. Best wishes...Love, Sue

    (FNHL-stage3-grade2-typeA-Dx 6/10-age62) 

  • cnewtrn
    cnewtrn Member Posts: 28

    Progress

    Cnewtrn,

    How many cycles is your dad  scheduled for ? Was he planned for only four cycles, or several more ? Some people take as many as 8, 10, or 12 cycles of various chemos, depending on what the doctor feels is necessary.  If he is scheduled for numerous more cycles, the doc may be checking at this point just to verify the sort of progress he expects. On the pther hand, if he was initially scheduled for just these four, then he may be hoping for full remission at this point, if the clinical objective was  full remission.  One more question: Is he scheduled for any radiation ? Some people on chemo get some radiation, and some do not.   Review his treatment plan and you will have a better expectation of what to look for when you go for the results. I hope all is great for the both of you !

    max

    He is scheduled for 6 cycles

    He is scheduled for 6 cycles of RCHOP with no radiation.   Then oncologist said it is her protocol to do a PET after cycle 4

  • cnewtrn
    cnewtrn Member Posts: 28

    Progress

    Cnewtrn,

    How many cycles is your dad  scheduled for ? Was he planned for only four cycles, or several more ? Some people take as many as 8, 10, or 12 cycles of various chemos, depending on what the doctor feels is necessary.  If he is scheduled for numerous more cycles, the doc may be checking at this point just to verify the sort of progress he expects. On the pther hand, if he was initially scheduled for just these four, then he may be hoping for full remission at this point, if the clinical objective was  full remission.  One more question: Is he scheduled for any radiation ? Some people on chemo get some radiation, and some do not.   Review his treatment plan and you will have a better expectation of what to look for when you go for the results. I hope all is great for the both of you !

    max

    He is scheduled for 6 cycles

    He is scheduled for 6 cycles of RCHOP with no radiation.   Then oncologist said it is her protocol to do a PET after cycle 4

  • cnewtrn
    cnewtrn Member Posts: 28
    allmost60 said:

    B cell lymphoma...

    Hi,

     I had 6 rounds of CVP-R chemo for my Follicular NHL. I did very well and so far after 2 1/2 years of treatment and maint Rituxan, no new problems have developed. What is your dad's sub type? It would help to know, as others here may have the same sub type and will have first hand info to share with you. Waiting for scan results is very hard on all of us and we can relate 100% with how you are feeling. My prayers are with your dad that the chemo is doing it's job. Please share back with the results of his scan. Best wishes...Love, Sue

    (FNHL-stage3-grade2-typeA-Dx 6/10-age62) 

    Congrats on your results. I

    Congrats on your results. I am not sure what subtype he is.  my dad has done very well with he chemo except for the worsening fatigue. May he have the same results as you

  • Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3
    Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 Member Posts: 3,803 Member
    cnewtrn said:

    He is scheduled for 6 cycles

    He is scheduled for 6 cycles of RCHOP with no radiation.   Then oncologist said it is her protocol to do a PET after cycle 4

    Cycles

    In a best-case scenario, then, the doc most likely expects the cancer to be eradicated, or close to it, at this point, since they usually give an infusion or two after eradication to lesson the liklihood of recurrence. Either way, recall that almost all forms of lymphoma are very treatable.  Lack of full remission at this point would NOT be a diaster.

    Increasing fatigue as chemo goes on is the norm. I was sleeping 17 hours a day by the time I finished my 12th infusion.

    Max

  • po18guy
    po18guy Member Posts: 1,461 Member
    cnewtrn said:

    Congrats on your results. I

    Congrats on your results. I am not sure what subtype he is.  my dad has done very well with he chemo except for the worsening fatigue. May he have the same results as you

    Fatigue is very common

    Welcome to the forums! All cancer treatment has side effects, and some of them can be quite noticeable. Fatigue is very common and can range from mild to severe. As he continues on treatment, various other side effects will arrive, most likely. These can be quite concerning, but are a natural product of the serious work that is being done in his body. As long as these effects are pointed out to doctor, some steps might be taken to help minimize them, or help him to live with them. They are a fact of all cancer treatment, which is poisonous by its very nature. As you see these effects appear, it is helpful to realize that they are normal, and to try to keep the larger picture in mind. There is a war be waged against a deadly disease, and all patients are wounded to some degree in this war. The point is to make progress against this enemy, and to preserve as much life, and as much quality of life as possible. Watching someone else go through treatment can be even harder, in some respects, than receiving the treatment as a patient. We do not know the outcome yet, so the best advice I can give is to simply enjoy being with him each and every moment. All the best to you.

  • Folks24
    Folks24 Member Posts: 106
    I had my first scan after 3

    I had my first scan after 3 treatments.  I assume they do that to see how you are coming along. I had a PET after I finished 6 chemo rounds of R-Chop. The oncologist told me 6 was the "normal" treatment number but I know many who had 8.

    As to symptoms, everyone is different.  My symptoms seemed to hit me 6 days after the chemo (I had 5 days of prednisone after each chemo treatment) and lasted a week or a little more.  Honestly I never really knew how I would feel from one day to the next which was very irritating.

    As to him not responding, he will probably feel and maybe look like heck. You can't go on appearance alone. I got a blood panel taken everytime I went in for chemo to monitor me. I think from the blood test the oncologist decides the amt, etc of the chemo to use at that time?  The oncologist should have given him a list of symptoms and those things to watch for so if needed he would call or come in.  After awhile, you learn to listen to your body, know how you feel and what is unusual.  

    Good Luck! 

  • jimwins
    jimwins Member Posts: 2,107
    Hi cnewtrn

    Hi cnewtrn.  I pretty much agree with everyone else here.  I think I had my first pet scan after cycle 4 and the results were good but we stayed on the 6 cycle track (R-EPOCH, similar to RHOP).  I hope things go well and yes, the waiting for results is a real bummer. 

    Jim

  • cnewtrn
    cnewtrn Member Posts: 28
    jimwins said:

    Hi cnewtrn

    Hi cnewtrn.  I pretty much agree with everyone else here.  I think I had my first pet scan after cycle 4 and the results were good but we stayed on the 6 cycle track (R-EPOCH, similar to RHOP).  I hope things go well and yes, the waiting for results is a real bummer. 

    Jim

    Well he got his results which

    Well he got his results which showed " no signs of lymphoma"

    he is thrilled, like a new man who has a different outlook.  He has 2 more cycles oof chemo aand then I am not 

    sure what the plan is.  Thank you all again for your words of wisdom.  I am sure that I will still have mmany more questions

  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    cnewtrn said:

    Well he got his results which

    Well he got his results which showed " no signs of lymphoma"

    he is thrilled, like a new man who has a different outlook.  He has 2 more cycles oof chemo aand then I am not 

    sure what the plan is.  Thank you all again for your words of wisdom.  I am sure that I will still have mmany more questions

    Great !!!

    Way to go !!! So glad to hear those results. John

  • epicc
    epicc Member Posts: 137
    cnewtrn said:

    Well he got his results which

    Well he got his results which showed " no signs of lymphoma"

    he is thrilled, like a new man who has a different outlook.  He has 2 more cycles oof chemo aand then I am not 

    sure what the plan is.  Thank you all again for your words of wisdom.  I am sure that I will still have mmany more questions

    Great News

    CNEWTRN

    That is great news. All the best to you and your dad. 

     

    Emily

     

  • illead
    illead Member Posts: 884 Member
    It's what we love to hear

    Congrats to your dad.  Lymphoma usually responds so well to treatment and so glad that is the case for him.  Now you all can get on with your life, one less bump in the road.  Do the dance of joy.  Bill and Becky

     

    Bill: Mantle Cell, stage 4 dx 7/11.  9 cycles Bendamustine/Rit, 1 yr remission 

  • jimwins
    jimwins Member Posts: 2,107
    cnewtrn said:

    Well he got his results which

    Well he got his results which showed " no signs of lymphoma"

    he is thrilled, like a new man who has a different outlook.  He has 2 more cycles oof chemo aand then I am not 

    sure what the plan is.  Thank you all again for your words of wisdom.  I am sure that I will still have mmany more questions

    Thunderous applause!

    Super great news!  We love to hear it.

  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    illead said:

    It's what we love to hear

    Congrats to your dad.  Lymphoma usually responds so well to treatment and so glad that is the case for him.  Now you all can get on with your life, one less bump in the road.  Do the dance of joy.  Bill and Becky

     

    Bill: Mantle Cell, stage 4 dx 7/11.  9 cycles Bendamustine/Rit, 1 yr remission 

    2 thumbs up!

    Hi,

      Oh, that is great news! How relieved you all must be feeling! Onward and upward from here on, so keep the faith and blessings to your dad from me! Let us know how things go for him when you find out whats next on his agenda.

    Love...Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10) age 62