Follow-up Scans-how often for Stage 1-2
I have the 2016 NCCN guidelines and see that annual CT scans are for Stage 3-4 patients. It seems that many of you are having scans more frequently.
I am Stage1-2, node negative. My onco started out mentionning every 3 months. I think that is alot of radiation (I also have had breast cancer in each breast),the scans for the workup (PET-CT,CT,MRI) a CT in May (to diagnose a possible obstruction) and CT's In December. Treatment was from Feb-April 2015.
The NCCN guidelines only note annual CT for Stage 3-4 or node-positive. I may try to negotiate for 6 months or annual
I am interested in follow-up schedules for Stage 1-2,negative node a,c, Also, WHERE are you being treated. What does MD Anderson recommend.
I realize that guidelines are guidelines and that there are good reasons for variation.
Comments
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tanda
My medical oncologist had me getting scanned quite often post-treatment for a few years. However, that was much more often than necessary, IMO. I've had both PET and CT scans for follow-up. I am familiar with the most recent quidelines and over the years, the recommendation for follow-up scans for stage 1 or 2 have been taken out. I do not know what MD Anderson currently recommends. I think most doctors do what they want. However, the insurance companies pay close attention to these recommendations and use them to give a yay or a nay when pre-certification is required. This is often the determining factor for many patients as to whether they get scanned or not.
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tanda....
Hi,
For the first several years after treatment for Stage 3b anal cancer I was scanned every 6 months and it was during that time that I was also dx with breast cancer which altered my follow-up scan schedule. There was a year that I went to annual scanning at some point but then a little over a year ago had anal cancer mets to lung so back on the 6 month schedule for now.
I think Martha is exactly right though, it is often insurance coverage that dictates for many.
katheryn
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