Imaging followups...how often?

KillItWithFungus
KillItWithFungus Member Posts: 4
in Kidney Cancer #1

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. 

Comments

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #2
    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
    dhs1963 Member Posts: 513
    #3
    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
    lobbyist0724 Member Posts: 515 Member
    #4
    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
    Thuvia Member Posts: 7
    edited November 2016 #5
    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
    Scottie22 Member Posts: 99 Member
    edited November 2016 #6
    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
    donna_lee Member Posts: 1,045 Member
    edited November 2016 #7
    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
    lobbyist0724 Member Posts: 515 Member
    #8
    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
    Sheeple Member Posts: 19
    #9
    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
    Sheeple Member Posts: 19
    edited November 2016 #10
    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
    db8ne1 Member Posts: 142 Member
    edited November 2016 #11
    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
    lobbyist0724 Member Posts: 515 Member
    #12
    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!

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