No need for pet scan

pascotty
pascotty Member Posts: 174 Member
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I went for my three Month check with scope and fingers. Doc said all looks good. It's funny how you have questions but some take time to ask. I guess for fear of the answers. But I finally asked about my staging for tonsil cancer which was stage 2. T1n1mo. Does anyone know about this info. Also I asked about when my next pet scan was and he said no need unless i feel any pain or changes. It's been seven months since end of treatment. My recovery has been extremely good. Thankfully. I also asked has he seen a lot of success with tonsil cancer survivors and he said if you have to get it. It's the one to get. Just thought I'd pass on this info. At the moment I have a tight chest on the right side. Has anyone experienced this xxxx

Comments

  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #2
    Staging
    Hi WA,

    You might want to read up further as there is ample information on how staging works but in very brief terms the T is related to the Primary 'T'umor and it's number relates to the size where a T1 has a size of 2cm or less. The N is related to Regional Tumor (ie to the lymph 'N'odes) and N1 is mets to one node (maybe more) generally where the tumor hasn't extended into surrounding tissue (good). The M is related to Distant 'M'etastasis, where M 0 mean no distant mets are detected (good) so there is no apparent cancer spread to other parts of the body.

    There are 2 categories of Stage II (IIA & IIB). Yours would be IIA as you have the lower numbers in the T,N & M's (good).

    The staging method is not a perfect science but the best available and now used & internationally accepted as a standard so Doctors and research people can compare results with people who have the same staging and hence they can make better comparisons and also know what the best course of treatment to apply for a particular stage (a bit like a Doctors recipe book for treatment).

    Hope this clears it up a bit.

    I would keep a close eye on your chest condition. Could be a pulled/ strained muscle, back or rib slightly out, infection or something more sinister. We need to be fairly vigilant for any signals. The tough part is a small thing can set off alarm bells unnecessarily as the saying goes 'Cancer survivors don't get headaches, we get brain tumors' i.e. we worry at every little twinge. Finding the right balance and reaction is a personal decision but dont leave a continuing problem for any length of time. Get it checked.

    Regds
    Scam
  • ekdennie
    ekdennie Member Posts: 238 Member
    #3
    way to go!
    I am so happy that the dr doesn't think you need another PET scan...that tells me he thinks you are doing great! and stage 2...that is also great news! I would probably see my doctor, but you might just have a cold...there is a doozy of one going around, and it leves your chest tight. congrats again!
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    #4
    Sounds good...
    Sounds like you are doing great!! I had to laugh when I read that you had just now asked your doctor about the staging because I thought I was the only one who felt this way :) I think I was about 6 or 8 months post treatment when I finally asked my rad onc what stages my cancers were at. I think it was mostly fear but then I realized that part of my fear was of the unknown and I did feel a little better after talking with him. The lung cancer was stage 1a and the laryngeal cancer was T3N0M0, which is actually pretty good from what I understand. I know it means stage 3 with no lymph involvement and it had not metastasized.

    I'm glad Scam explained all of this because while I sort of understand the staging I don't explain it as clearly as he does.

    I have not had the chest tightness but if it continues and you are still concerned I think you should see your doctor, it is probably nothing but there's no sense taking chances, especially this time of year.

    Congrats on your great check up!! Stay well and enjoy your holidays!!

    Glenna
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #5
    Hoorah
    Now THAT's my kind of follow up visit. Glad it's going so well.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #6
    PET
    Glad to hear your news...

    I'm kind of partial to having the follow-up PET, if nothing else as a confidence builder. I'm just wondering if it's an Insurance decision.

    I can't think of many on here that haven't been followed up with a post PET. Not saying there hasn't, I don't know. But I know that there have been many that have had it.

    Best,
    John
  • pascotty
    pascotty Member Posts: 174 Member
    #7
    Skiffin16 said:

    PET
    Glad to hear your news...

    I'm kind of partial to having the follow-up PET, if nothing else as a confidence builder. I'm just wondering if it's an Insurance decision.

    I can't think of many on here that haven't been followed up with a post PET. Not saying there hasn't, I don't know. But I know that there have been many that have had it.

    Best,
    John

    Thanks John
    Hi John, thanks for the follow up, in Australia we don't have the Insurance problem that you guys have, it is all paid for by the Government, very good medical support over this part of the world. I can't believe how many problems you have with fighting with the Insurance companys it must be frustrating. We just have treatment and it's all free, no bills, no invoices, just go home. In regards to follow up, I can have a scan if I want one, and one part of me says DO IT and the other part of me says, enough radiation. Bit stuck on that one. I know that having a scan would give peace of mind, but, strangely enough I have peace of mind at the moment.

    Cheers Jen
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #8
    pascotty said:

    Thanks John
    Hi John, thanks for the follow up, in Australia we don't have the Insurance problem that you guys have, it is all paid for by the Government, very good medical support over this part of the world. I can't believe how many problems you have with fighting with the Insurance companys it must be frustrating. We just have treatment and it's all free, no bills, no invoices, just go home. In regards to follow up, I can have a scan if I want one, and one part of me says DO IT and the other part of me says, enough radiation. Bit stuck on that one. I know that having a scan would give peace of mind, but, strangely enough I have peace of mind at the moment.

    Cheers Jen

    Understand
    I'm lucky in that my employer has very good insurance...

    I can understand your thoughts and feelings on added exposures...

    Best and Happy Holidays.

    John
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #9
    Hi Jen

    That sounds pretty good just make sure to keep your visits with your ENT when they come due, take care and keep doing great.
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #10
    Hondo said:

    Hi Jen

    That sounds pretty good just make sure to keep your visits with your ENT when they come due, take care and keep doing great.

    Jen, I've not had another
    Jen, I've not had another PET since the first one to try and find my primary. (which showed nothing but my tumor that metastisised to my lymph node/ salivary gland.) My RO said it's a risk vs benefits thing. He decided enough radiation for me too. As far as CT scans go, I am also allergic to diagnostic dyes. Yes, part of me wishes that I would get to meet NED. Have someone check me out and not see anything.

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