Time frame for scans

michdjp
michdjp Member Posts: 220
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hello to everyone
My dad finished chemo on 10-24 and rad on 10-18 for tonsil and lymph. We are doing speech 2x week to start eating again. We go for a scope by the radiologist on 1-4-12. Right now they say there is still a lot of inflammation in the throat and did not want to aggravate or damage it anymore. When should we expect a pet scan to see if the tumor on the tonsil is gone as well as lymph nodes?
Hope all is well
Thanks
Michelle

Comments

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #2
    Hi Michelle

    Normally it is anywhere from 3 to 6 months just depends on the doctor. I know of some who want a PET or CT right out of treatment but to me the body is still cooking and a CT or PET will not tell the true story.

    Take care
    Hondo
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #3
    Schedules Vary
    I actually had a CT during my treatment....

    But for the first year I was scoped every 6 - 8 weeks by my ENT (he's my lead MD). I had my first post treatment PET at about 4 months. From there I had (and still do 2 1/2 years out), a CT once a year and a PET once a year (scheduled six months apart).

    I had a scope and check up twice post Tx with my rads MD, six months out and then a year. My chemo MD I still see, but the first year it was every 8 - 12 weeks, then moved to every six months after the first year.

    My ENT I saw every 3 - 4 months the second year, and since last week will see every six months now until the fifth year out.

    JG
  • michdjp
    michdjp Member Posts: 220
    #4
    Skiffin16 said:

    Schedules Vary
    I actually had a CT during my treatment....

    But for the first year I was scoped every 6 - 8 weeks by my ENT (he's my lead MD). I had my first post treatment PET at about 4 months. From there I had (and still do 2 1/2 years out), a CT once a year and a PET once a year (scheduled six months apart).

    I had a scope and check up twice post Tx with my rads MD, six months out and then a year. My chemo MD I still see, but the first year it was every 8 - 12 weeks, then moved to every six months after the first year.

    My ENT I saw every 3 - 4 months the second year, and since last week will see every six months now until the fifth year out.

    JG

    Thanks
    Thanks guys, I guess january is ok then for the first scope and scans to follow. I do see that every doctor varies on this but since our healing is going slow my dad is not looking fwd to the scope (I on the other hand am). We tried a Cheerio tonight, a banana and some gaterade but dad just seemed to choke on it and wonders if he will ever eat again. He still has a sore throat, slightly white tongue which burns on and off (wonder could this be thrush?)
    Also still pretty tired especially in the morning. I just read on sweet bloods log that she wanted to try oasis for dry mouth (dad also has this) I found it at walgreens and gave it to him just tonight. I hope it helps.
    I did not live through this beast, just alongside it, however I have to say my dad was always my hero but after watching him go thru this it shines a brighter light on just what heros are made of.
    I admire the courage and strength of all who go thru this.
    Thanks
    Hope alls well
    Michelle
  • Jimbo55
    Jimbo55 Member Posts: 590 Member
    #5
    First PET
    Michelle,

    I had my first PET/CT scan 6 months after treatment ended. As mentioned previously, the usual time frame is 3-6 months. I had residual inflammation showing up as 'false positives' on my first 2 PET/CT scans. It wasn't until I was 1 year out that at long last the scan was clean. Cheers.

    Jimbo
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #6
    michdjp said:

    Thanks
    Thanks guys, I guess january is ok then for the first scope and scans to follow. I do see that every doctor varies on this but since our healing is going slow my dad is not looking fwd to the scope (I on the other hand am). We tried a Cheerio tonight, a banana and some gaterade but dad just seemed to choke on it and wonders if he will ever eat again. He still has a sore throat, slightly white tongue which burns on and off (wonder could this be thrush?)
    Also still pretty tired especially in the morning. I just read on sweet bloods log that she wanted to try oasis for dry mouth (dad also has this) I found it at walgreens and gave it to him just tonight. I hope it helps.
    I did not live through this beast, just alongside it, however I have to say my dad was always my hero but after watching him go thru this it shines a brighter light on just what heros are made of.
    I admire the courage and strength of all who go thru this.
    Thanks
    Hope alls well
    Michelle

    it certainly could be thrush
    and he should get it checked. Thrush = treatable cause of sore tongue.

    Best.

    Pat
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #7
    michdjp said:

    Thanks
    Thanks guys, I guess january is ok then for the first scope and scans to follow. I do see that every doctor varies on this but since our healing is going slow my dad is not looking fwd to the scope (I on the other hand am). We tried a Cheerio tonight, a banana and some gaterade but dad just seemed to choke on it and wonders if he will ever eat again. He still has a sore throat, slightly white tongue which burns on and off (wonder could this be thrush?)
    Also still pretty tired especially in the morning. I just read on sweet bloods log that she wanted to try oasis for dry mouth (dad also has this) I found it at walgreens and gave it to him just tonight. I hope it helps.
    I did not live through this beast, just alongside it, however I have to say my dad was always my hero but after watching him go thru this it shines a brighter light on just what heros are made of.
    I admire the courage and strength of all who go thru this.
    Thanks
    Hope alls well
    Michelle

    Hi Michelle
    What would we Dad's do without Daughters like you who keep up our courage to keep fighting. My oldest Daughters was always there for me through all three of my fights with this stuff, and to think she was the one who growing up gave me nothing but problems. She also was the one who did all the research on my cancer to find things that I needed to do to help my body stay strong while fighting this stuff.

    God bless and be with you as you support your Dad in his time of need, Daughters make some of the best Caregivers
    Hondo
  • jtl
    jtl Member Posts: 456
    #8
    Scans
    My medical onc recently returned from a seminar and the recommended time was 10 weeks. I assume that is if everything is sufficiently healed. My ENT thinks anything short of 6 months is unnecessary.
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #9
    michdjp said:

    Thanks
    Thanks guys, I guess january is ok then for the first scope and scans to follow. I do see that every doctor varies on this but since our healing is going slow my dad is not looking fwd to the scope (I on the other hand am). We tried a Cheerio tonight, a banana and some gaterade but dad just seemed to choke on it and wonders if he will ever eat again. He still has a sore throat, slightly white tongue which burns on and off (wonder could this be thrush?)
    Also still pretty tired especially in the morning. I just read on sweet bloods log that she wanted to try oasis for dry mouth (dad also has this) I found it at walgreens and gave it to him just tonight. I hope it helps.
    I did not live through this beast, just alongside it, however I have to say my dad was always my hero but after watching him go thru this it shines a brighter light on just what heros are made of.
    I admire the courage and strength of all who go thru this.
    Thanks
    Hope alls well
    Michelle

    Oasis
    It might be a little harsh on his tongue and burny. If he can use regular tooth paste, it might be ok though. Definitely check for thrush, but my tongue and mouth were white/grey and nasty and full of sores, and it wasn't thrush.
  • michdjp
    michdjp Member Posts: 220
    #10
    Hondo said:

    Hi Michelle
    What would we Dad's do without Daughters like you who keep up our courage to keep fighting. My oldest Daughters was always there for me through all three of my fights with this stuff, and to think she was the one who growing up gave me nothing but problems. She also was the one who did all the research on my cancer to find things that I needed to do to help my body stay strong while fighting this stuff.

    God bless and be with you as you support your Dad in his time of need, Daughters make some of the best Caregivers
    Hondo

    I have often told my father
    I have often told my father when he says "thanks" for something he does not need to thank me for.. If it werent for a dad like him I wouldnt be the daughter that I am. I am everything I am today because of him and my mom. I am glad you have daughters as there's no greater love than a daughter for her father. Form Christmas this year I simply want to give him a handkerchef I ordered, it reads... Dad, I may have outgrown your lap but Ill never outgrow your heart.. This to keep in his pocket always.
    Thanks for your blessings they are always welcome.
    P.s.
    Sweet blood the oasis DID burn his tongue. But I will keep trying!!!
    Hope alls well
    Michelle

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