Too Soon?

stevenl
stevenl Member Posts: 587
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hey everyone,

Just a quick question. I finished my rads April 9th. My ent has a pet scheduled for next week the 28th. Does this sound too soon, I mean is it at this point just gonna show a bunch of bad spots. What do you guys think?

Thanks,
Steve

Comments

  • Fire34
    Fire34 Member Posts: 365
    #2
    Too Soon ?
    Steve
    My first PET was schedule 3 months out. I had a CT about 30 days after my last radiation treatment. I believe it might be too soon also.
    I cant tell you the protocol up here at U of Chicago, but the way it seems now they do more CTs, as I just had my second one today about 6 months out. The clinical study I was in might also have something to do with the type of scans etc. and frequencies. Best Wishes & Prayers Dave
  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,034 Member
    #3
    I'm no Doctor, but
    Hi Steve,

    I would say that it might be too soon as you might just light up falsely. If I remember correctly, I didn't get a Pet Scan until about 6 months out of the radiation. But, that is my Doctors. I suppose each Hospital and Doctor have their own procedures.

    No matter what, I hope that your results are like I heard today from my Surgeon, NO CANCER. See you in one year.

    My Best to You and Everyone Here
  • dogsrule
    dogsrule Member Posts: 96
    #4
    Fire34 said:

    Too Soon ?
    Steve
    My first PET was schedule 3 months out. I had a CT about 30 days after my last radiation treatment. I believe it might be too soon also.
    I cant tell you the protocol up here at U of Chicago, but the way it seems now they do more CTs, as I just had my second one today about 6 months out. The clinical study I was in might also have something to do with the type of scans etc. and frequencies. Best Wishes & Prayers Dave

    PET
    Both my surgeon and onco wanted the first follow-up after 3 months. It seems that is the protocol from reading the postings here. My results just came today and it was clear. Doctor said I had some "iregularities" which he explained was most likely from the surgery and radiation. Said it had a "darkening apperance. I did have a cat scan done about 2 months after the radation stopped. Came back with a result of "thickening". Results of scar tisse from surgery and rads. From reading posts on here some speak of false positives if it is done to soon.
    God Bless
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #5
    MarineE5 said:

    I'm no Doctor, but
    Hi Steve,

    I would say that it might be too soon as you might just light up falsely. If I remember correctly, I didn't get a Pet Scan until about 6 months out of the radiation. But, that is my Doctors. I suppose each Hospital and Doctor have their own procedures.

    No matter what, I hope that your results are like I heard today from my Surgeon, NO CANCER. See you in one year.

    My Best to You and Everyone Here

    too soon
    Yep: anything that shows can only be held as highly-suspect; and, the far-greater likelihood is a false-positive. Way I see it- PS so soon serves no purpose, other than padding the wallets of the C meds, and putting you thru a ringer w/radioactive isotopes. Wish I knew what I do now- and had nixed my first (little over 3-months after the last rad). Shoulda waited a minimum of 6-months. Of note: my first was 3-months, and my second was 9-months later- despite the fact that "something mighta shown" with the first PS!!! Just think about it, Steve, and do what you think is right by you and the Mrs. If nothing else, you can ask them if the 3-month is a reflection of their confidence in the quality of their work! Yep.

    kcass
  • micktissue
    micktissue Member Posts: 430
    #6
    PET scan
    Hey Steve. 12 weeks is what the surgeon told me, but our treatments are different.

    Best,

    Mick
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #7
    Three months is about the earliest
    Pretty much the same consensus....I had a CT during to confirm that the tumor was gone, but the PET came a little early on me at about 2 months. My chemo doctor ordered it, but my ENT felt it was too soon because of the chances of a lot of false reads from residual. In my case everything was good and nothing suspect.

    That was last Auguse and I finished up everything that June. I have had a few CT's since (all good), but not scheduled for my next PET until August.

    Anyways, it may or may not look as good as it will more than likely further down the road.

    John
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #8
    Skiffin16 said:

    Three months is about the earliest
    Pretty much the same consensus....I had a CT during to confirm that the tumor was gone, but the PET came a little early on me at about 2 months. My chemo doctor ordered it, but my ENT felt it was too soon because of the chances of a lot of false reads from residual. In my case everything was good and nothing suspect.

    That was last Auguse and I finished up everything that June. I have had a few CT's since (all good), but not scheduled for my next PET until August.

    Anyways, it may or may not look as good as it will more than likely further down the road.

    John

    Agree with 3 mth +
    I am with the crew here Steve and think 3 mths at the earliest. The risk of false readings and the unnecessary exposure to what our Doctors say is 'harmless' doesn't gel with me. I had my first at 3 mths and am thinking to hold off my 2nd for another 12 mths now.

    I might be worth to ask why so soon ?

    Scam
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #9
    Skiffin16 said:

    Three months is about the earliest
    Pretty much the same consensus....I had a CT during to confirm that the tumor was gone, but the PET came a little early on me at about 2 months. My chemo doctor ordered it, but my ENT felt it was too soon because of the chances of a lot of false reads from residual. In my case everything was good and nothing suspect.

    That was last Auguse and I finished up everything that June. I have had a few CT's since (all good), but not scheduled for my next PET until August.

    Anyways, it may or may not look as good as it will more than likely further down the road.

    John

    There isn't a bad side to it
    Yes it's too soon to determine if the cancer is gone. But? If your insurance isn't balking then you have nothing to lose but a few hours time. It can establish a baseline from this point forward which will be invaluable in comparison to future tests.
  • Greg53
    Greg53 Member Posts: 849
    #10
    ratface said:

    There isn't a bad side to it
    Yes it's too soon to determine if the cancer is gone. But? If your insurance isn't balking then you have nothing to lose but a few hours time. It can establish a baseline from this point forward which will be invaluable in comparison to future tests.

    1st CT for me as well..
    Steve,

    If you remember we are on the same timeline. I'm 6 weeks post-treatment also. My team of doc's also scheduled me for my 1st CT next week. I knew from a friend that had similar treatment and he didn't get his til 3 months like a lot here posted. So I asked the lead doc why. He said that, yes the early CT shows false positives, but the doc's like it then because it gives them a baseline to work off of since most of the scarring from surgery is starting to heal. That's the story I got. It may be BS, but so far everything they've done for has turned out well, so I'm not questioning this first one.

    Good luck!
    Greg
  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #11
    Greg53 said:

    1st CT for me as well..
    Steve,

    If you remember we are on the same timeline. I'm 6 weeks post-treatment also. My team of doc's also scheduled me for my 1st CT next week. I knew from a friend that had similar treatment and he didn't get his til 3 months like a lot here posted. So I asked the lead doc why. He said that, yes the early CT shows false positives, but the doc's like it then because it gives them a baseline to work off of since most of the scarring from surgery is starting to heal. That's the story I got. It may be BS, but so far everything they've done for has turned out well, so I'm not questioning this first one.

    Good luck!
    Greg

    good luck to you both. I'm
    good luck to you both. I'm praying for great results for you!
    God Bless,
    Debbie
  • Kimba1505
    Kimba1505 Member Posts: 557
    #12
    debbiejeanne said:

    good luck to you both. I'm
    good luck to you both. I'm praying for great results for you!
    God Bless,
    Debbie

    Timely Question
    Steve,
    Even though Mark has not started his chemo/rad. (mid-June), following his surgical post op appointment yesterday his surgeon scheduled his PET for early October. If he does 7 weeks of chemo/rad. that PET will be at the 2 month mark.
    As he moves through all the prep for radiaiton I will raise this question. Thanks!
    Kim
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #13
    Stanford Cancer Center
    Hi, Steve

    Stanford asked me to schedule a follow-up appointment six weeks after completion of chemo/rads "with no scans done." That being said, I don't know yet if they intend to scan me when I get there, and/or what kind of scan it will be. I will know more later. I have enough voice back to call today to schedule the appointment.

    Deb
  • rmkbrad
    rmkbrad Member Posts: 176
    #14
    They have me scheduled to have a pet scan done one month after I just finished, I just finished yesterday. Both esophagus and neck are done, lost 52 pounds start to finish. Anyway I felt it was to soon, I really don't want to go back that soon.

    Brad
  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #15
    rmkbrad said:

    They have me scheduled to have a pet scan done one month after I just finished, I just finished yesterday. Both esophagus and neck are done, lost 52 pounds start to finish. Anyway I felt it was to soon, I really don't want to go back that soon.

    Brad

    Brad, I will pray for good
    Brad, I will pray for good results from the scan. Good luck!
    God Bless,
    Debbie
  • stevenl
    stevenl Member Posts: 587
    #16
    rmkbrad said:

    They have me scheduled to have a pet scan done one month after I just finished, I just finished yesterday. Both esophagus and neck are done, lost 52 pounds start to finish. Anyway I felt it was to soon, I really don't want to go back that soon.

    Brad

    Good
    Hey Brad,

    It's good to hear from you. Been wondering how things are going with ya. I pray all is well.

    Steve
  • wifeforlife
    wifeforlife Member Posts: 189
    #17
    stevenl said:

    Good
    Hey Brad,

    It's good to hear from you. Been wondering how things are going with ya. I pray all is well.

    Steve

    Steve...one month a head of you
    My husband is one month ahead of you... he has had a CT scan and two scopes since treatment has stopped...next CT scheduled for July.We askedthe ENT DR about PET scanand he said it was too soon unless CT show something...said the PET was too touchy and would show too many false positives.....I guess we would go with doing what your Dr says but not getting too concerned with positives...but extremely excited if it was good!!!

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