Tests?

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andicat
andicat Member Posts: 10
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I finished chemo for a tumor in my rectum in Jan. 2010. I was stage III with 2 nodes removed and the whole tumor removed. In three months, it will be time for one year tests. What tests should I expect? My doctor tells me I have a lot of scar tissue so he is wondering if I should even do a ct scan. He says blood tests are accurate and I have no symptoms. Should there be a liver test? Every three months I do a blood test and everything has always been fine. What about a chest X-ray? Is that necessary?
Christine

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  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #2
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    Christine
    I would do it ,no doubt , what's the problem to do it?
    Hugs!
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #3
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    Tests...


    A one year CT is a good idea, if for nothing else than to satisfy
    you that there's nothing else going on.

    Why not ask for a full body scan with contrast, so you can be
    assured that there are no growths from lungs, all the way down
    to the rectum? Scans won't always indicate what isn't specifically
    being searched for, but it can't hurt.

    Too many scans aren't a good idea, since there's a risk of
    it producing "second cancers", or cancer from the scans itself.
    But one year intervals certainly isn't "too many"....

    If you have any reason to doubt your physician, or even if you're
    just a wee bit uneasy... go get yourself another opinion. You are
    entitled to one (or more), and no decent physician ever considers
    it an insult. In fact, many physicians learn of new treatments and
    procedures that way.

    Stay well, ok?

    John
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #4
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    John23 said:

    Tests...


    A one year CT is a good idea, if for nothing else than to satisfy
    you that there's nothing else going on.

    Why not ask for a full body scan with contrast, so you can be
    assured that there are no growths from lungs, all the way down
    to the rectum? Scans won't always indicate what isn't specifically
    being searched for, but it can't hurt.

    Too many scans aren't a good idea, since there's a risk of
    it producing "second cancers", or cancer from the scans itself.
    But one year intervals certainly isn't "too many"....

    If you have any reason to doubt your physician, or even if you're
    just a wee bit uneasy... go get yourself another opinion. You are
    entitled to one (or more), and no decent physician ever considers
    it an insult. In fact, many physicians learn of new treatments and
    procedures that way.

    Stay well, ok?

    John

    of course lm referring to a
    pelvic/abdominal/toraccic.Scan . I got one every two months.
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #5
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    tests
    Praying you get excellent results from any tests you do!

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #6
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    Tests
    You should definetly do the CT and sometimes surgeons wants a colonoscopy but sometimes they hold off for 1 1/2 years for that. Not doing a CT scan is not wise just because of scar tissues. The CT scan can show of a possible spread which should be checked since you are Stage 3. Blood tests don't always correspond with actual activity. Don't think that a great CEA level is something that can be dismissed. CEA levels are very unreliable. Chest x-ray would be good though. Hope all turns out well for you. Testing should be done for at least 5 years and all if everything. Let us know how you are doing.

    Kim

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