scans

Tmclaren
Tmclaren Member Posts: 15
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Just wondering what everyone has had for scans since thier treatments .My ongoligist does not seem to be to worried about them .I had a CT scan 3 months after my treatments and one again at two years only because i insisted with my family doc that i wanted one .Just had my 3 year check up says everything looks and feels fine so no need for a CT scan .Just wondering if i should be insisting on more or not .Thanxs

Comments

  • Kari2007
    Kari2007 Member Posts: 108
    edited September 2016 #2
    Not there yet

    Im barely into recovery, but my rad oncologist seemed to indicate I'd be getting scans every few months for the first year, less after that...

    Kari

  • RottiesMom
    RottiesMom Member Posts: 167
    #3
    Petscan

    I was told I'd be getting a petscan 3 months after treatment ended.  I know I have to go back every 3 months after that, but don't remember what was said about scans.

    Joanne

  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #4
    RottiesMom said:

    Petscan

    I was told I'd be getting a petscan 3 months after treatment ended.  I know I have to go back every 3 months after that, but don't remember what was said about scans.

    Joanne

    the fewer the better

    Scans used to be the norm but the norm has shifted to minimal scanning. If you have no symptoms then it's probably best to get zero scans. The normal radiology schedule for head and neck cancer patients with no symptoms by the National Cancer Institute is an X-ray. Scans  are dangerous and can cause second cancers. I remeber the head of The American cancer society refusing to be scanned about 10 yers ago for some exploratory procedure. Wonder what he knew? Most HN cancer recurrences are found by the ENT during a scope.

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    edited September 2016 #5
    Pet, MRI & CT scans.

     

     I agree with ratface the less the better, my ENT checks me through and through with a scope every 3 to 6 months. To me it is a lot safer then to keep putting radiation in my body and making me sick again. Just my call someone else might not agree, but when my ENT starts talking about needing a scan I know it is for a reason.

     

    Tim   

     

  • cwgpe
    cwgpe Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2016 #6
    Hi ratface

    I'm 14 months out of treatment (SCC, HPV 16+, left tonsil primary, one lymph node involvement @ 4 cm) and have recovered well and feel good, I've had scopes and phyisical exams every three months with excellent results.  BUT, I just had a year aniversary CT scan that showed all is good in my neck but two very small (<5mm) lung nodules, one in each lung. My Dr. say not to worry about these small nodules and has ordered a follw-up scan in three months. You stated most H&N reccurences show up from the scopes.  Although thats reassuring for me, I keep reading different opinions about if, where and when a reccurrence of H&N will show up.  Maybe i'm just reading too much, but the lung nodules are very worisome for me. Any info you have on this topic will be greatly appreciated.

  • MemphisTn
    MemphisTn Member Posts: 41
    edited September 2016 #7
    My 2 Cents

     Working in healthcare what I've noticed is that, quite frankly, the insurance companies seem to dictate more to the physicians as to the type of and frequency of follow-ups. That is, for radiology imaging.  The good news is, that while it is true the less radiation the better, there are efforts underway to monitor and even adjust what they call scan protocols to use less radiation for modality types that use radiation such as CT, x-ray, etc.  I have also noticed that MRI for some  types of cancers is useful, which doesn't expose you to any radiation. That all said, what worries me the most is that for cancer is like mine and potentially others, physical exams and scope won't catch cancer developing in liver, lungs or other parts of the body. It is important, I think as patients that we demand not only from our physicians but also our insurance companies, that we are allowed access to imaging, working with our physicians, as we feel necessary to ensure that we catch anything elsewere in the body early. That said, it feels like a bit of a David and Goliath situation as insurance companies dictate more and more based on what they will pay for. In my opinion the good news is there's no right answer there only seems to be differing levels of comfort among patients.  I am four weeks out and I've had to follow up CTs denied by CIGNA insurance as well as an unrelated MRI. Even attempts by the oncologist to peer to peer with CIGNA has resulted in denial. I bring all this up only to say that I believe treatment has progressed far enough that there's enough empirical data to help physicians understand when radiology imaging is helpful and when it may be a waste. Unfortunately insurance companies are also hiring medical staff to refute and ultimately dictate follow up protocol. Of course patients can always go out and purchase exams out of their own pocket, this is expensive, but if you need that ultimate peace of mind I suspect it's worth every penny. At any rate it's good to hear that you're getting good reports, God bless. 

    much love,

    -PC

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