Follow-up Scans-how often for Stage 1-2

tanda
tanda Member Posts: 174 Member
in Anal Cancer #1

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

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    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.

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    #3
    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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