Scan vs. scope

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flaladee
flaladee Member Posts: 15
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Okay...I have two specialists...the chemo doctor (who I only met 3 times during treatment and did not really care for) telling me he wants me to have PET scans every three months. Then I have my radiation doctor (let me also add he is one of the best radiologists in the nation), who I highly respect and saw every other day for 35 treatments saying there have been national studies that PET scans vs. scoping for post treatment follow -up is safer and just as effective. Both doctors practice at the same hospital (MAYO). Anyone else have an opinion? I sure dont want any more radiation put into my already tired body and really dont mind the scope...I am post RAD treatment since December 9th and cancer free but still have no taste buds. Input would be welcome.....Thanks!!

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  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #2
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    Hi flaladee
    My Doctors at MD Andersons want me to do a PET and MRI every 6 months. My ENT says all I need is just to scope every 6 months and maybe a PET once a year only if there is something suspicious. It is hard to know what one to listen to and who is right. I been doing the PET scan for 5 ½ years every 6 months and fail every one of them because of residue cancer tissue left over from the radiation and inflammation. It was a hard call for me but I feel my ENT knows what she is doing, plus every time I see her she always scopes me. Sometimes you need to go with who or what you feel most confoundable with, it’s your body.

    This is just my take someone else might have a different opinion.
    Take care
    Hondo
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #3
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    It varies
    Varies from doctor to doctor, and from patient to patient. I am almost two years out from end of treatment for Stage 4 SCC of base of tongue with multiple lymph nodes involved. I'm still getting scoped and palpated roughly every eight weeks. I had a baseline MRI at 2 months, a PET-CT at 3 months, and the next PET-CT at 18 months. My doctor says if my scopes and squeezes continue to look good, I won't need another PET-CT for another 18 months.

    Deb
  • robinleigh
    robinleigh Member Posts: 297
    #4
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    D Lewis said:

    It varies
    Varies from doctor to doctor, and from patient to patient. I am almost two years out from end of treatment for Stage 4 SCC of base of tongue with multiple lymph nodes involved. I'm still getting scoped and palpated roughly every eight weeks. I had a baseline MRI at 2 months, a PET-CT at 3 months, and the next PET-CT at 18 months. My doctor says if my scopes and squeezes continue to look good, I won't need another PET-CT for another 18 months.

    Deb

    Maybe an individual thing
    Right now my husband gets ct scans every six weeks but he is in a clinical trial..I would think that scopes check the head neck area they can physically see but would not pick up on those stray cells that might light up in a scan. They are often microscopic cells so I'd probably opt for scans on the regular schedule that insurance covers. Some extra peace of mind!
  • francma
    francma Member Posts: 69 Member
    #5
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    Scan vs Scope
    I've had 2 normal petscans in this past year. I have scopes done every month and will probably go to every 2 months soon. My ENT feels the scopes are better than the Petscans. I think it's good to keep up on the appts to be checked and do the Petscan every 6-12 months thereafter. ENT doctor states if it the cancer hasn't come back within the first year, the chances are good that it won't.

    Fran~

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