introduction and question

DK2006 · January 2006

Hi,
I am a 46 year old female, diagnosised with colon cancer in November 2005. I had colon resection in November. One foot of colon was removed in sigmoid area. Tumor was pT2 and there was metastasis in one of 32 lymph nodes examined (pN1). I started chemo this month- folfox6. Chest X ray and bloodwork is all normal. My oncologist won't do a CT scan because she said since the bloodwork is all normal, it's not warranted. My question, how important is a CT scan?? Thanks in advance! You guys are all awesome! Donna

markatger · January 2006

Hi Donna,

Welcome to this great site. Have you never had a CT or PET scan since your diagnosis? If I was you, I would also be very interested in having one done. To my understanding, it sounds like you are stage 3, since one of your lymph nodes was positive. I believe there are many people here who had Stage 3 cancer and they have scans every 3-6 months as follow-up. It seems to make sense you would have one now and then repeated.

My layman's opinion is to ask for the test. If your oncologist won't do it, go to a different doctor.

Best Wishes,
Maria

ron50 · January 2006

Hi Donna, With lymph gland involvement,in my opinion,a ct or pet scan is mandatory. There is no blood test to detect cancer. With stage 3 colon into 6 lymph glands my CEA was only 2.8 ,the baseline being around 4 ,it is a useful tool in some people to guage recurrence. I would be pressing my case for a scan if I were you and if I didn't get it I would be looking for another doctor. I can understand some docsnot wanting excessive ct's because they are the equivalent of hundreds of x-rays but at this point in your treatment definitely warranted,Cheers Ron.

fedester · January 2006

hi donna,
welcome to our family.
i had stage 2 colon may 04. all nodes clean. had chemo 6 months. i have had a cat scan every 6 months since dx. the reason for scans is to use them as a guage. to see if there are any changes in you body. if you have say a spot on your lung the cat scan will show how big or small than when you have another it will show any difference. also to see if chemo is working.
hope this helps
all the best
bruce

JADot · January 2006

Hi DK2006:

Welcome to this site. Wish we could have met under different circumstances, but hey, here we are and this is a great place to come to for positive thinking and great information!

I would say in your case just ask for a scan. Blood works far from tell the whole story. My CEA was 2.2 when they took 2 fast growing tumors out. Some cancers and some people just don't make CEA. So, if you need a scan to put your mind at ease, insist on one. If your doctor doesn't work w/ you then find another one. Your doctor might be concerned with the amount of radiation, but to detect possible mets, it's a small price to pay.

Good luck to you!

Cheers,

JADOT

staceyp · January 2006

Hi Donna,

Please, please, please insist on a CT scan. My husband was 35 when he was first diagnosed. He was told he was Stage 1 because no lymph nodes tested positive. Now, just barely a year later he is now being told he is Stage 4 with mets to the liver. It is not my intention to scare you. I just suggest you be as aggressive as possible. You are young to have this diagnosis. Don't "wait and see" what happens. Stay on top of it! Good luck.
Stacey

Betsydoglover · January 2006

Donna - I think everyone else has already said it, but please insist on a scan, prefereably a PET/CT - not just a CT. You need a baseline. And there is no blood test for cancer. Also (not meaning to scare you) - stage 3 is just one step away from stage 4 metastatic disease, and the the only way you know that is taking place is based on PET/CT results.

I'm Stage IV so my situation is a bit different. But, I finished (for now) chemo at the end of November. I had a PET/CT scan in mid December. It was negative (how great), but I saw my onc today and she wants another one on 2/16. The point is that even though my disease is more advanced than yours, the only way to judge disease progressions is via scans. Insist on scans or find another doctor.

Betsy

kangatoo · January 2006

Betsydoglover said:
Donna - I think everyone else has already said it, but please insist on a scan, prefereably a PET/CT - not just a CT. You need a baseline. And there is no blood test for cancer. Also (not meaning to scare you) - stage 3 is just one step away from stage 4 metastatic disease, and the the only way you know that is taking place is based on PET/CT results.

I'm Stage IV so my situation is a bit different. But, I finished (for now) chemo at the end of November. I had a PET/CT scan in mid December. It was negative (how great), but I saw my onc today and she wants another one on 2/16. The point is that even though my disease is more advanced than yours, the only way to judge disease progressions is via scans. Insist on scans or find another doctor.

Betsy

Hi Donna....welcome to our family. I was stage 2 with no node involvement, resection then 6 months chemo. Ongoing surveillance here in OZ was ultrasounds/bloods every 3 months.After 2 years NED I have recemtly gone to CT's 6 monthly, bloods 3 monthly. I must admit that all this time, although my ultrasounds/bloods results were good I was always concerned that I never had a CT done....it worried me. My mind has been put at ease a little since doing the CT but I probably would have felt more at ease if I had had the CT done a long time ago. My opinion?....like all others here...insist on a CT/PET!
This disease is too serious to be taken lightly.
Our best from oz, Ross n Jen.

HowardJ · January 2006

Hi and welcome to the semicolons!

I'm assuming you had a CT prior to surgery, so I don't think you need one 2 months after surgery (I realize I'm the lone voice on this one). If however, you never had a CT, you might want to ask for one. The frequency of follow-up CTs is then based on medical guidance (there are web sites which describe the guidances and rationale) and oncologist experience.

As for how important CT is: part of the diagnostic staging looks at distant metastsis. The CT helps to identify mets, which are not found via blood tests.

Good luck!

Howard

spongebob · January 2006

Donna -

All I can say is "yup" I agree with everyone here - even Howard (you need to give a little bugger time to grow enough to be visible in a CT scan if you had one just a couple months ago)

I would offer this... (here he goes again) your doctor works for YOU. if you haven't had a CT or PET scan and you feel one is warranted then be up front with your onc about your desires. If she still says no, then consider finding a new onc!

Cheers

- SB

taraHK · January 2006

I just finished FOLFOX. My docs insisted that I have a CT half-way thro the chemo (ie after 6 sessions), to make sure the chemo was working OK. Then, 1-2 mos after I finished the chemo, I had a PET-CT. I realize each center is different, but hope this information might be useful. Best wishes,
Tara

kerry · January 2006

Hi Donna,

I go to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and it is held up to be one of the BEST in the world...well, I am scanned every 8 - 9 weeks to see how I am responding to the chemo, etc. I know there are risks with scans, but what are they???? -----cancer!! Well, lo and behold isn't that what we are fighting?? Get a PET/CT scan and get a baseline set.

My best to you.

Kerry

jana11 · January 2006

Donna,

What country are you located in? I question any doctor caring for a stage 3 (yes, it is stage 3 if you have lymph node involvement) that isn't getting a scan. Fortunately, you only had 1 positive lymph node, and the chemo you are taking is aggressive for a soletary node. You are getting good treatment, but you need scans to check on you, and repeat every 3-4 mo for AT LEAST a year.

I was diagnosed as stage 3 with 3 lymph nodes positive at 32 yrs old. I get my care at MD Anderson and am so glad to be here with aggressive providers. The younger you are, the more aggressive the cancer tends to be. You are going to be your strongest advicate - talk to your docs and ask why you aren't getting a scan - blood work and CXR CANNOT evaluate the kind of evaluation you warrant.

You may need to get another onc, or at least a second opinion at another center.

I wish you luck and hope you get your scan SOON. Several times my scans came back with slight 3mm abnormalities that later grew. The reason you need a scan is to monitor any changes that MAY be cancer. ALL MY BLOODWORK AND X-RAYS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN NORMAL. We are younger and have stronger reserves than older cancer patients. The studies may not reveal abnormalities until it is too late.

GET YOUR SCANS!!!!! Contact me if you have other questions. Good luck.

jana

introduction and question

Comments

Discussion Boards