Anniversary Question

laura25
laura25 Member Posts: 181 Member
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

I hear people talk about 2, 1, 10 years NED.... is that the Dx date or the stop treatment date? 

Comments

  • ConnieSW
    ConnieSW Member Posts: 1,688 Member
    #2
    I think NED would be after

    I think NED would be after treatment since the hope is that is when the cancer is gone. That would coincide with my first scan..  Cancer survivor to me would be from diagnosis since that is when the whole process starts but I guess that isn't cut and dried.

  • cleo
    cleo Member Posts: 144
    #3
    ConnieSW said:

    I think NED would be after

    I think NED would be after treatment since the hope is that is when the cancer is gone. That would coincide with my first scan..  Cancer survivor to me would be from diagnosis since that is when the whole process starts but I guess that isn't cut and dried.

    NED

    Dx and treated late 2007 for Stage 3/4 MMT.  August 2012 - yearly CT scan still clear and after my hospital appointment in December I was told that I need not return for mandatory checking as I had reached 5 years with NED.    Still to self monitor of course with immediate check in if any concern.

  • plantlady2012
    plantlady2012 Member Posts: 49
    #4
    cleo said:

    NED

    Dx and treated late 2007 for Stage 3/4 MMT.  August 2012 - yearly CT scan still clear and after my hospital appointment in December I was told that I need not return for mandatory checking as I had reached 5 years with NED.    Still to self monitor of course with immediate check in if any concern.

    Cleo

    That is just wonderful to hear, Cleo!

     

    -Lynn

  • Hybridspirits
    Hybridspirits Member Posts: 209
    #5
    plantlady2012 said:

    Cleo

    That is just wonderful to hear, Cleo!

     

    -Lynn

    great to read

    Cleo

    as i start my journey this month  I was thrilled to read your story.  Thanks for sharing this as it keeps me upbeat

    Sharon

  • ConnieSW
    ConnieSW Member Posts: 1,688 Member
    #6
    Hybridspirits said:

    great to read

    Cleo

    as i start my journey this month  I was thrilled to read your story.  Thanks for sharing this as it keeps me upbeat

    Sharon

    After

    Cleo, do you continue to see a gyn/ onc at that point or do you revert to a regular gyn?  I would feel safest with the former.

  • cleo
    cleo Member Posts: 144
    #7
    ConnieSW said:

    After

    Cleo, do you continue to see a gyn/ onc at that point or do you revert to a regular gyn?  I would feel safest with the former.

    After

    I continue with my regular Dr/gyn that I always see every three months in conjunction with gyn/onc.    Question in my mind is  -   Do I continue with the CT scans for my peace of mind v the disadvantage of more 'zaps' to the body.    

  • cleo
    cleo Member Posts: 144
    #8
    ConnieSW said:

    After

    Cleo, do you continue to see a gyn/ onc at that point or do you revert to a regular gyn?  I would feel safest with the former.

    After

    Repeated - sorry.  Having a bit of trouble with the upgrade!

  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    #9
    cleo said:

    After

    I continue with my regular Dr/gyn that I always see every three months in conjunction with gyn/onc.    Question in my mind is  -   Do I continue with the CT scans for my peace of mind v the disadvantage of more 'zaps' to the body.    

    Cleo

    CONGRATS ON 5 YEARS NED!!!  What a wonderful story to spread to others who need good news of encouragement.  

     

    I do remember you having MMMT aggressive cancer as I've got, too.  I'm stage 3C,diagnosed Feb '09 and still NED.  

     

    You ask if you should continue with CT scans?  Question to you, does and can your doc follow a CA125 tumor marker?  If so, is it reliable?  My doc likes to use this, but every year or so has me do a CT scan which I just had.  CT scans are loaded with radiation which can cause cancer...1 CT is equivalent to 400 xrays!!  That's enough to make you stop and rethink what you feel will work best for you.  Plus if you're prone to worry, possibly continue with a scan once per year.  There comes a point we can become overcome with worry, so do what comforts you the most.

     

    Have you done anything different with your lifestyle -- diet, execise, stress release -- to make the 5 year mark?

     

    Best to you,

    Jan

     

     

  • cleo
    cleo Member Posts: 144
    #10
    jazzy1 said:

    Cleo

    CONGRATS ON 5 YEARS NED!!!  What a wonderful story to spread to others who need good news of encouragement.  

     

    I do remember you having MMMT aggressive cancer as I've got, too.  I'm stage 3C,diagnosed Feb '09 and still NED.  

     

    You ask if you should continue with CT scans?  Question to you, does and can your doc follow a CA125 tumor marker?  If so, is it reliable?  My doc likes to use this, but every year or so has me do a CT scan which I just had.  CT scans are loaded with radiation which can cause cancer...1 CT is equivalent to 400 xrays!!  That's enough to make you stop and rethink what you feel will work best for you.  Plus if you're prone to worry, possibly continue with a scan once per year.  There comes a point we can become overcome with worry, so do what comforts you the most.

     

    Have you done anything different with your lifestyle -- diet, execise, stress release -- to make the 5 year mark?

     

    Best to you,

    Jan

     

     

    CT & CA125

    I do have the CA125 check but it is not a reliable marker for me.   I did start off with great intentions 5 years ago re broccolli etc but I now just follow a sensible diet.  Husband with Parkinson's.  Try not to stress and I do have good friends.   My Dr has made her concerns re CT scans very clear and as I am not a worrier...count the blessings and go with the flow!...I think that positive thinking will do the job.

  • plantlady2012
    plantlady2012 Member Posts: 49
    #11
    cleo said:

    CT & CA125

    I do have the CA125 check but it is not a reliable marker for me.   I did start off with great intentions 5 years ago re broccolli etc but I now just follow a sensible diet.  Husband with Parkinson's.  Try not to stress and I do have good friends.   My Dr has made her concerns re CT scans very clear and as I am not a worrier...count the blessings and go with the flow!...I think that positive thinking will do the job.

    Cleo Re: Scans

    Cleo, one alternative doctor I went to recommended monitering with MRI's, not CT's or PET's, because the MRI doesn't use radiation.  I didn't investigate it further, because I am just barely post-treatment, and I feel safer getting the PET's at this point.  But perhaps you might like to look into the possibilty of MRI's, if you think you want to continue to moniter.  If you do look into, please let us know what you found out, about it's effectiveness and cost, okay?

    --Lynn

  • cleo
    cleo Member Posts: 144
    #12
    plantlady2012 said:

    Cleo Re: Scans

    Cleo, one alternative doctor I went to recommended monitering with MRI's, not CT's or PET's, because the MRI doesn't use radiation.  I didn't investigate it further, because I am just barely post-treatment, and I feel safer getting the PET's at this point.  But perhaps you might like to look into the possibilty of MRI's, if you think you want to continue to moniter.  If you do look into, please let us know what you found out, about it's effectiveness and cost, okay?

    --Lynn

    Scans

    Plantlady.....Immediate reply as I do not live in the states so no help with costs.  My understanding is the the CT shows cancers while the MRI is more for soft tissue/spine/brain tumors.   I did have an MRI early on during treatment as cancer very aggressive....not too keen to go round again!!.   Here all my treatment/scans etc are free. Should I wish to have a CT scan taken privately the cost is $NZ1000.   MRI double that.     If I chose to have a CT scan for peace of mind I would pay.    If there was a concern re my health there would be no cost to me.    I hope that you are progressing well.

  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    #13
    plantlady2012 said:

    Cleo Re: Scans

    Cleo, one alternative doctor I went to recommended monitering with MRI's, not CT's or PET's, because the MRI doesn't use radiation.  I didn't investigate it further, because I am just barely post-treatment, and I feel safer getting the PET's at this point.  But perhaps you might like to look into the possibilty of MRI's, if you think you want to continue to moniter.  If you do look into, please let us know what you found out, about it's effectiveness and cost, okay?

    --Lynn

    Lynn

    From what I've learned on scans with  uteirne cancer at least, the first choice for scans is CT...and if they find something that need to investigate further, forwarded to MRI/PET.  Apparently each type of cancer has some sorta setup as to what the "standard" procedures are with insurance coverage.  CT should always be approved for follow-up, then go to MRI/PET.  If you request MRI/PET initially for follow-up, etc, don't think insurance will approve.  Now...this is what I've learned and as we all know there are always ways arouind things.  

     

    Mary Ann on this site has had her doc intercede and get approval for the initial scan to not be CT, but either MRI or PET (can't remember which).  If you can get your doc to go to bat for you and show why you need MRI/PET initially, go for it.  You have nothing to loose.

     

    MRI, yes does not have radiation.  CT scan, especially in pelvic area is equivalent to 400 xrays in radiation exposure.  As to why CT isn't as expensive and MRI is.  I had some lower back issues beginning of this summer and my oncologist knew it wasn't cancer, but did get me in for MRI.  Yes my insurance did approve MRI for this type of issue as needed to look more indepth with the small tissues, not picked up with CT.

     

    I always make sure before I have any scans, the RN's have called insurance and gotten it approved and know in advance my out of pocket.  We all need insurance, but oh boy it just doesn't cover everything.

     

    Jan

  • HellieC
    HellieC Member Posts: 524 Member
    #14
    jazzy1 said:

    Lynn

    From what I've learned on scans with  uteirne cancer at least, the first choice for scans is CT...and if they find something that need to investigate further, forwarded to MRI/PET.  Apparently each type of cancer has some sorta setup as to what the "standard" procedures are with insurance coverage.  CT should always be approved for follow-up, then go to MRI/PET.  If you request MRI/PET initially for follow-up, etc, don't think insurance will approve.  Now...this is what I've learned and as we all know there are always ways arouind things.  

     

    Mary Ann on this site has had her doc intercede and get approval for the initial scan to not be CT, but either MRI or PET (can't remember which).  If you can get your doc to go to bat for you and show why you need MRI/PET initially, go for it.  You have nothing to loose.

     

    MRI, yes does not have radiation.  CT scan, especially in pelvic area is equivalent to 400 xrays in radiation exposure.  As to why CT isn't as expensive and MRI is.  I had some lower back issues beginning of this summer and my oncologist knew it wasn't cancer, but did get me in for MRI.  Yes my insurance did approve MRI for this type of issue as needed to look more indepth with the small tissues, not picked up with CT.

     

    I always make sure before I have any scans, the RN's have called insurance and gotten it approved and know in advance my out of pocket.  We all need insurance, but oh boy it just doesn't cover everything.

     

    Jan

    Interesting to hear about scanning

    I'm interested to read about the US protocols for scanning.  In the UK, the MRI scan is usually used for routine scans, with follow up by CT/PET if something suspicious is found on the MRI.  So far, all of my recurrences (3 of them!) have been identified on an MRI scan and then confirmed as having active uptake by CT/PET.    I guess it probably boils down to a combination of costs and availability of machines.  In the UK, we seem to have a fair number of MRI scanners (most of our major hospitals have them), but CT/PET machines are like hen's teeth.  In the whole of Sussex (which is the county where I live - similar in size to a small US State) we only have one CT/PET suite!

    Helen

  • plantlady2012
    plantlady2012 Member Posts: 49
    #15
    jazzy1 said:

    Lynn

    From what I've learned on scans with  uteirne cancer at least, the first choice for scans is CT...and if they find something that need to investigate further, forwarded to MRI/PET.  Apparently each type of cancer has some sorta setup as to what the "standard" procedures are with insurance coverage.  CT should always be approved for follow-up, then go to MRI/PET.  If you request MRI/PET initially for follow-up, etc, don't think insurance will approve.  Now...this is what I've learned and as we all know there are always ways arouind things.  

     

    Mary Ann on this site has had her doc intercede and get approval for the initial scan to not be CT, but either MRI or PET (can't remember which).  If you can get your doc to go to bat for you and show why you need MRI/PET initially, go for it.  You have nothing to loose.

     

    MRI, yes does not have radiation.  CT scan, especially in pelvic area is equivalent to 400 xrays in radiation exposure.  As to why CT isn't as expensive and MRI is.  I had some lower back issues beginning of this summer and my oncologist knew it wasn't cancer, but did get me in for MRI.  Yes my insurance did approve MRI for this type of issue as needed to look more indepth with the small tissues, not picked up with CT.

     

    I always make sure before I have any scans, the RN's have called insurance and gotten it approved and know in advance my out of pocket.  We all need insurance, but oh boy it just doesn't cover everything.

     

    Jan

    Jan

    Thanks for the info, Jan!

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