What's Next after Rads????

NewToCancer

I have 17 more treatments and I will be done,   Everything is going very well so far.  I contribute this to swimming at least 1 hour every day with no excuses accepted.  I really want to know what will happen after the rads are over.  I know I wil go back to the Onco and he will probably start me on Arimidax.     Fine........but then what?  Will they do a Cat Scan or a Pet?  How soon after the rads do they start poking around looking for additonal cancer?  I would like to take January to see my family but I am not sure I can do that if they want me here for tests or if they already find something right after the Rads.  Anyone know a possible time table for the next step after rads?

Kleenex

What sort of surgery did you have? That affects your follow-up.

My understanding is that they don't usually do major scans for the purpose of looking for mets - they "examine" you and if there are symptoms that warrant investigation, they will do that. If you had breast conservation surgery, it seems that the first breast follow-up is about six months after surgery, depending on what treatments you had. A friend with a "triple negative" diagnosis last year (at age 39) appears to be having CT scans - perhaps this is due to her age and high-grade, aggressive tumor. She had a lumpectomy. I think she has close follow-up for the first three years, because that's when her cancer is most likely to make a new move.

I met with the med onc before starting radiation (no chemo), and got my prescription for Tamoxifen and a scheduled appointment for February, when I will have a digital mammogram and a breast exam. I'll allegedly have these every six months for five years, and I'll make a scene to get breast MRI's every 18 months or so, as I had ILC and it was OUTSIDE the field of mammography.

When I wrapped up radiation last week, my rad onc verified that I had the prescription and the medical oncologist follow-up appointment and discussed when I would follow up with her - six months after the radiation for a check.

Your radiation oncologist will have this information - it's in your file. If you're taking Arimidex, you'll likely follow up with the medical oncologist, so you might need an appointmen with that doctor in here somewhere to get the prescription and make plans for a follow-up appointment.

Good luck to you with the rest of radiation! My rad onc said I could only swim if I did it in a private pool and not a public or gym pool with lots of chemicals, which was a bummer, as I don't have my own pool. I thought that would be the perfect thing: excercise in a COOL environment, with no heat or friction to bother the skin.

NewToCancer

Thank you very much for responding.  I had a breast reduction that included the .8mm IDC in August, 2008.  I have 17 more rads and I will be done.  December 5 is the last treatment.  After that, I would like two months without the word "cancer."  Then I will be ready for whatever happens next.  My onc appointment is Dec. 3, two days short of my last rad appointment.  The onc doesn't start the Arimidex until 30 days after the radiation.   I asked the rad tech today what happens next.  She thinks it is a cat scan.  I think I would like the two months of freedom before they take it to the next level. I don't think I am ready for any bad news.  I need a break.

Lynn12

It depends on your Oncologist.  There are many, like mine, that don't do any scans after active treatment is done.  There are other Oncs that do scans and tumor markers.  I'm actually happy not to have the scans so as to not go through the anxiety.  My Onc asks about any symptoms when I see him every 3 months.

I never went back to my rad Onc, didn't see the point.  I now just see my regular Onc. and my plastic surgeon.

Best of luck to you!

Anonymous

My mom had ILC many years ago and had lumpectomy, radiation, then tamoxifen--she is now a survivor of 22 years without a recurrence.

Anne

Kleenex

Thank you, Anne - I LOVE to hear stories like your mom's. I'm hoping that turns out to be my story, as well.

Coleen

karen1956

New - My order of Tx - bilat, chemo, rads, AI's, ooph, exchange.  Onc follows me every 3 months - he does a physical and draws blood - no scans.  Don't see rad onc (not since 6 week post rads appt) as medical onc keeps her informed. Saw breast surgeon every 6 months for 1st two years and now annually.  Continue to be monitored by PS, but I just had a revision this past July.   BTW - I am 2 years 9 months since Dx.  All the best to you.

melmedic06

i had radiation twice- two different types of cancer  in opposite breasts- i had a mammo and labs every 3 months for the first year then dropped down to a mammo and labs every 6 months and i'm finally down to one mammo and labs a year - H U R R A Y!!!- the only time i had a pet scan was after my original dx of ILC-  every physician is different but i would not anticipate any more scans for you (my opinion only) - i'm suprised they let you swim during radiation- my doctor was totally against any activity that would introduce infection but i'm happy it worked out well for you-