What is standard followup?

LaughterHelps

I had bilateral mastectomy for IDC in November 2010 (3 cm, stage II, 0/3 nodes), followed by tissue expanders and exchange surgery in April 2011. No chemo or radiation, just aromatase inihibitor for 5 years. It's been a year since my surgery and the only follow up I've had with my oncologist is office visits...no tests. Is this normal?  My surgeon will do a breast MRI in February - would have been done last month but in July I had a heart attack with stent placement and surgeon said better to wait 6 months after having stent to do the MRI. I'm constantly worried about mets, and how would my oncologist know if she hasn't done any tests? Are there blood tests that would indicate mets? Is it standard to have something like a PET scan or anything?

My cardiologist said my liver enzymes were elevated and that concerned me, but oncologist didn't seem concerned or want to follow up on that. Also have bone pain in left knee and can't put pressure on it...she wasn't concerned about that either. Do I need a different oncologist?  Is it common not to have scans or blood work? I'm so confused.   

jacee

My Onc saw me every month the first year of diagnosis, then every 3 months last year, and I'm now going every 4 months. I haven't had any scans, and he said he wouldn't order them unless I  had problems. I do have bloodwork, including tumor markers every time I see him. My breast surgeon said she would order a breast MRI every 2 years, since I had BMX with recon. Just to check for node or skin involvement. I'm sure every Dr. is different. It is confusing!

mawhinney

Almost every cancer case is different so the followup for one patient differs from the next patient. Treatments and follow-up appointments and tests are almost on a case to case basis. There are so many variables that must be considered -tumor size & location, invasive vs non-invasive, type of surgery & treatments, estrogen/progeterine ratings, genetic factors, node involvement etc.

Scans and testing can have side effects so the value and need for testing has to be evaluated - will the testing provide enough benefit or do the side effects outweigh the value of the test/procedure? 

I would talk to each of your doctors and clarify the roll each doctor plays in your treatment plan.  For example -My surgical oncologist preformed my surgery and orders follow-up testing such as mammos, mris, ultrasounds & biopsies when needed. The surgical oncologist also has a high risk practice & follows my case through that practice,  My medical oncologist orders my meds, blood tests, & chemo & radiation if needed. Both doctors do breast exams..