Imaging followups...how often?

KillItWithFungus

I've been reading this forum for awhile but this is my first post. It seems like everyone here (who is a RCC survivor) is having CT-Scans no less frequent than annually. The first 3 years after my RCC diagnosis and total nephectomy I've had CT-scan and chest x-rays annually. But upon the 3rd year my urologist said come back in 2 years. I really don't remember much detail about my pathology report other than it was still stage 1. And I'll add that I was only 36 years old at the time. Should I be insisting on annual CT scans? Does anybody else have a doctor that requests followups less frequent than annually? 

This year marks six years since diagnosis/nephrectomy and I just finished my followup today which consisted of a kidney ultrasound and chest xray. Still waiting for the radiologist to review and confirm the results but I was lucky enough to have an ultrasound tech willing to bend the rules a bit by sharing her observation of a 1cm fluid-filled cortical (outside surface of the kidney) cyst in an otherwise unremarkable scan. 

icemantoo

It varies

K,

It depends on your diagnosis, pathology guidelines insurance and your doctors instinct. Mine were a yealy CT for 5 years with annual Ultrasounds the next 9 years with an extra CT thrown in 2 years ago.

 

 

Icemantoo

dhs1963

It depends

I was stage iv, with a particularly agressive grade.  For the first 2 years post surgery to remove the metastsise, it was every 3 months.  Then, it will be every 6 months out until 5 years.  At that point, we will go every year.  At some point, it will expand to every other year.

As this is happening, I am getting older.   Eventually, something else will kill me.

lobbyist0724

Pathology Report

I would recommend you to get a copy of your pathology report for your record, since different diagonosis will lead to a different management plan even if the patients are all stage1 (i.e. size, grade, microvasular invasion and etc. ). In Canada, patients under 45 with low stage/risk patients will not even get CT scans at all but a more frequent US schedule to minimize the life time accumulative radiation to the body. I am schedule for US everything 3 months at the moment

Best wishes. Carmen

Thuvia

I'm 3 weeks post radical

I'm 3 weeks post radical nephrectomy. Stage 1, Grade 1, Clear Cell RCC. My Urologist yesterday told me that scans will be every 6 months for the first 3 years along with chest x-ray and kidney function test. After that it's annual to 10 years and then we make a decision. This is assuming all stays clear. I do not do CT's. I have MRI's with Gladinium.

Scottie22

3 1/2 years post neph

My urologist told me there is no 'one size fits all' follow up.  After my radical neph., stage 1, I had a chest x ray plus ultrasound at 6 months, then 9 months then 1 year thereafter. I also have bloodwork done and a nephrologist checks kidney function. All seems well.

donna_lee

A nebulous "It Depends"

On the type, stage/size, if there was mets to begin with, how invasive, and on and on.

You can read my bio to find out the early stages.  Had CT's every 3 months for the first 3 years. Then 6 months.  And we were ready to go down to yearly when they found nodes in my thyroid.  They truned out to be benign, but that amped the tests to A chest x-ray and abd/pelvic US with a CT alternately every 3 months.

For the past 2 years (#8-9-10) I've only had a yearly CT.

The Dr's follow recommended guidelines, as Scottie says, one size does not fit all.  After all, we are unique.

donna_lee

lobbyist0724

Sheeple said:

My docs told me I didn't need

My docs told me I didn't need any follow-up scans after my one and only follow-up scan 3 months after surgery.  For context I had a robotic partial nephrectomy for what was to be a stage Ia, grade 2 cancer.

Do you mean not even

Do you mean not even Ultrasound and chest X-Ray are not needed?

Sheeple

lobbyist0724 said:

Do you mean not even

Do you mean not even Ultrasound and chest X-Ray are not needed?

Correct, that is exactly what

Correct, that is exactly what I mean. It worried me at first, but I eventually moved beyond that.

Sheeple

My docs told me I didn't need

My docs told me I didn't need any follow-up scans after my one and only follow-up scan 3 months after surgery.  For context I had a robotic partial nephrectomy for what was to be a stage Ia, grade 2 cancer.

db8ne1

It Depends...

Each doc is different.  Each path report can indicate different follow-up - even if same "stage".  I was Stage 1 RCC and had robotic partial neph.  Surgeon said follow-ups starting at 1 year (Chest x-ray and Ultrasound) and every year for 5 years. Chance of re-occurance: less than 5%.  However, since I was already being treated/follow-up for Stage 3 Colorectal Cancer (CRC) - I get CT's once a year anyway.  Surgeon said my chances of CRC reoccurance were significantly higher (50-70%) than RCC anyway.  Gee, thanks doc.... :-) 

lobbyist0724

Sheeple said:

Correct, that is exactly what

Correct, that is exactly what I mean. It worried me at first, but I eventually moved beyond that.

Congratulation to you! I

Congratulation to you! I guess yours must be a very tiny tumor and low grade Best wishes!