CT vs. PET (Survey)

annie4145

In the first two year after treatment, were you monitored by CT scan or by PET scan, and at what frequency?  All responses appreciated.

 

I am currently be monitored by CT scan 2x per year, but I am part of the observational arm of a clinicial trial.

 

 

 

Accw

CT vs Pet Scan

Good Morning Annie4145

I am 17 months post treatment. I am currently monitored every 6 months with CT scan. I have never had a Pet scan. My oncologist feels Pet scans are much harder on your body but he said I may have one at some point. I was stage 2 with no lymph nodes involved. I also see my colorectal surgeon every 6 months as well and he checks me with a scope in his office. I was also seeing my radiation oncologist every six months but she recently released me. 

I hope you are doing well. How far are you out of treatment and what stage was your diagnosis?

annie4145

I am about 14 months post

I am about 14 months post treatment.  I believe that I was 3a. (1  lymph node) I am doing so much better than this time last year!  After treatment it wiped me out for a couple of months, but all is better now.  I am about 95% back to my old self.  Just minor digestive issues.  Very thankful!!!!!   I also get a visual check with a scope 2-3 times per year.

Accw

So glad you are feeling

So glad you are feeling better. Mental healing has/is probably the hardest thing for me, but that seems to be getting better too.

Have you had a PET Scan?

annie4145

I thought that I responded to

I thought that I responded to this, but it must not have been posted.    I did have one pet scan, but one of my doctor's seems to think that the CT scan is fine and is especially good at measuring changes in soft tissue.  She also says that it is important to stay with one type of scan so that changes can be measured over time.  The clinical trial that I am in requires CT scans, not PET scans so I think that I will be having CT scans in the future and will just go with that.  I would have to probably have to private pay for a PET scan and at 3,000+ that seems like way too much just to give me a bit of added assurance.  Hang in there.  I don't know what part of it has been the worse for you, but for me it was some depression and anxiety.  But still, I am much better this year than last year at this time.   

Accw

Thank you

Thank you for your response. Yes the mental healing is the biggest challenge for me. This is getting better but still easy for me to let my mind run away from reality with any ache, pain, or change in bowel habits I may have.

Wishing you continued healing both physically and mentally. I think we finished treatment very close to the same time. JUNE 25th, 2018 was my last day of treatment.