Scan vs. scope

Around and around it goes
This is one of the great debates. It gets talked about a lot on this board, and clearly even among experts there is no concensus of opinion. In the institution where I have been treated, the ENT Oncologist calls the shots. This is logical, because his expertise in ENT cancer is far greater than either of the generalists (Rad onc and med onc are generalists, not specialists in ENT cancer). He has opinions on this matter. Those opinions have changed through the years.

In 1998 when I had my first cancer, he actually scoped me under general anesthesia and biopsied multiple sites about 3 months after surgery. Now I notice he is alternating CT and PET on a q3 month interval during the first year.

Honestly, PET and scope are not exactly equal. Both have strengths and both have weaknesses. A scope is not about to see a met to the lung. A PET will, however. A PET has a number of false positives, whereas a scope, and histologic slides of biopxy material don't.

My conclusion is: Go with whatever makes you comfortable. I've lived through more cancers than most on this board, but less than a few others. I've had generally good care, despite the fact it hasn't been perfect, and one could say that some of the scans haven't necessarily seen the earliest of my malignancies.

Don't sweat it.

Pat

Different Strokes....
More than likely a MD personal preference....

Like Linda, my ENT scopes and takes a lesser after treatment approach. My Chemo MD, likes the scans a little more.

I'm now nearly three years post treatment. My frist year, my ENT scoped me every 6 - 8 weeks..he's a hands on approach and sees scopes and scans as a tool to confirm his observations.

My Chemo MD did a CT every three months the first year, a PET the first three months, then CT for the next nine months at three months a part.

My second year, scopes every four months and scans moved out to six months, a CT, then a PET...and that has continued into year three.

ENT has moved to six months for scopes....

Also, welcome to the forum...

Best,
John

I can only speak to my
I can only speak to my specific situation but my ENT looks at my throat in the area where I had cancer but not with a scope. He can see the area with just a mirror. I still think you need PET or CT scans.
John

jtl said:

I can only speak to my
I can only speak to my specific situation but my ENT looks at my throat in the area where I had cancer but not with a scope. He can see the area with just a mirror. I still think you need PET or CT scans.
John

you raise a good point
I'm not certain what we are talking about when people say getting a "scope". As you just said, I get indirect laryngoscopy, using a mirror, every time I see the ENT oncologist. And he scopes me to look at the nasopharynx with a 2mm fiberoptic scope, in the office, frmo time to time. Way back in ancient history, he'd numb my pharynx with a topical spray before doing this. But as he learned, I don't have a big gag reflex, so nowadays, he just threads the scope up my nose and looks. Through the years he's probably done this a dozen times.

longtermsurvivor said:

you raise a good point
I'm not certain what we are talking about when people say getting a "scope". As you just said, I get indirect laryngoscopy, using a mirror, every time I see the ENT oncologist. And he scopes me to look at the nasopharynx with a 2mm fiberoptic scope, in the office, frmo time to time. Way back in ancient history, he'd numb my pharynx with a topical spray before doing this. But as he learned, I don't have a big gag reflex, so nowadays, he just threads the scope up my nose and looks. Through the years he's probably done this a dozen times.

Scope...
Well for me, when I say scope, it's like yours Pat...

The flexible lighted tube through a nostril, down into the throat to the top of the lungs almost, usually turning my head and saying EEEE.

I used to have the spray, but by the time it takes effect adding another 10 minutes or so to the exam time. I just have him lube it up and thread it through the nostril of choice.

That in itself was challenging as I had a deviated septum, an between that and sinus swelling left litte room to do the scope.

But he did a Rhinoplasty a few months ago and it's much easier now...and I can actually breathe through my nose since about 40 years ago.

The rhinoplasty wasn't performed just to make the scope easier..I have been having problems breathing for years, snored and sleep apnea, all of which have improved a lot.

That's my routine scope, of course he touches and exams the area each time...

JG