What's 'normal' for follow up?

HLB

Beckers and zsterling, sorry for the delay in replying. I hadn't marked this post as a fave and just saw your questions. I was getting the ca27-29 every 3 months for one year, then every 6 months for 4 years, then once a year after that, which was 2 or 3 times, not sure. I actually have 4 spinal mets and as for treatment I am on letrozole and get an XGEVA shot once a month. These 2 treatments started at the mets diagnosis. If you would get dx with mets while on tamox I think they would probably change the treatment. I didn't get any rads to the mets because lickily they were small and not giving me any symptoms. I was concerned and thought we should blast them but I think the idea is to save the rads in case I really need it in the future for pain. I think when the AIs work they are enough to get rid of those lesions. When I saw the onc in Sept (2 months after met dx) the tm had gone from 116 to 61 and he said we will do scans in Jan because it takes awhile to show up as healed lesions. Hopefully that is what we will see!

Lee64

I have noticed that some of you have the CA27-29 blood test done at each checkup and I was wondering how much your results have varied within the normal limits. Mine went from  18 to 13 but last time (in Dec) had jumped to 21. I know this is within normal limits, but didn't expect an 8 point jump. I don't have another appt. until July and I know this will be on my mind until the next one.

Thank you for any input. Hope this isn't a silly question.

Lee

dlb823

Lee, those all sound within your normal range.  A 3 pt. variation is nothing to worry about.  Here's a link that explains many things that can cause a small variance:  

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2087535-overview

And your question isn't the least bit silly.

Deanna

pegs54

I am 8 weeks from surgery today.... My, March 2012 mammogram shows microcalcifications in left breast & I was told we could wait 6 months or do biopsy right away. I opted to wait & see.   After an additional 6 months passed I decided to have the biopsy in 10/12 done & it showed DCIS. Surgery was scheduled for 11/12/12

My question now is I think I should have a mammo on right side during my annual checkup this March which would be a year out from last checkup, but my oncologist & primary doctor say it's ok to wait until November again to have the right mammo done??

Im pushing to have it done. Thoughts or personal experiences anyone ??   Peggy

ChemicalWorld

Peggy, fwiw I went a long time between my diagnostic mammogram in Aug.2010 and my first post-treatment mammogram in Jan. 2012. But honestly, part of me felt it took too long to get it after, and needless to say also greatly contributed to my scan-related anxiety.  I had finished radiation in early June 2011.  I think that if your oncologist is supportive of the test, and it would make you feel more at ease, go for it.

As for me, I'm not sure I've had a "normal" follow up.  My primary oncologist moved across the country at the end of my chemo (not because of me, promise ), and I was kind of left swinging in the wind for a while aside from one appointment to prescribe tamoxifen just before he left.  I see my radiation oncologist, who I never really saw much of through treatment, once a year for a breast exam in Oct/Nov, and am supposed to have 6 month breast exams with my family doctor, however last year that didn't happen until over 8 months post-mammo.  I went almost a year without bloodwork.  But what it's supposed to be is yearly mammogram, 6 month breast exam, regular bloodwork.  I'm told I won't see an oncologist until I get close to the 5 year mark with Tamoxifen, or have other problems.  My family doctor wanted to refer me back to one because he didn't "understand Tamoxifen" but I guess they told him no.

zsterling

Lee64, I'm sort of in the same boat as you with a CA27-29 that went from 20 (April and Aug) to 26.5 (still considered 'negative') in 6 months.  My oncologist didn't want to order it for me in the first place, so she's not much help with my anxiety.  She likes to 'pat me on the head' (figuratively) and quote statistics (which are admittedly good).  She did offer effexor.  I guess we're looking for a "trend" so I won't worry (actually I will, I can't help it) unless the next one is higher or until it's in the positive range. 

HLB

Peggy I don't blame you for pushing. Do they think surgery on the left counts as a mammo on the right and so now you have to wait til Nov?? Dumb.