CT Scans - necessary?

Options
fairy49
fairy49 Member Posts: 1,245
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hi ladies! Sorry to bother you......I have been worrying about this for weeks and just have to get some advice.  I had a bi-lat on Oct 29th, I didn't see my onc until after the surgery (as recommended by my BS), when I met with him, had a bunch of blood work done (haven't heard anything so I assume nothing glaring was wrong), he scheduled me for CT scans of chest, abdomen, pelvis and bones. He also ordered Oncotype DX test before deciding on chemo etc. As you can see from my DX below I am stage 1 with no node involvement, my question is, is is normal/necessary to have these scans? I have heard from other people that the onc needs a baseline for the future etc etc, but I have heard that CT scans expose you to a huge amount of radiation, way more than an x-ray.  I don't suppose I would be questioning this if it were prior to the surgery (I had chest x-ray prior to surgery), but now I am wondering............sorry to ramble, but I have been sitting here today wondering what to do, and I guess I am scared too......

Lorraine ox

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Mom_of_boys
    Mom_of_boys Member Posts: 556
    edited January 2009

    I'm probably not the best person to answer your questions, but...  Smile  I was dx on 12-5-08.  I'm missing a fair number of pieces right now, but we do know it is grade 1 and hormone-fed.  We had already scheduled the surgery, BUT my MRI came back as showing the tumor quite a bit larger than the mammograms and ultrasound.  THEREFORE, we're doing a lot more tests. 

     My onc strongly recommended the Oncotype DX before surgery/deciding treatment options as well as a PET, bone, AND CT scans.  I have those on Monday and Tuesday before meeting with my onc again on Wednesday.  I understand obviously how you are feeling worried and scared... so am I, but I figure my onc wants as many pieces of information as are available to her.

    Good luck and let us know how it all turns out!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bre
    bre Member Posts: 89
    edited January 2009

    Hi Lorraine,

     I was also stage 1 and had ct scans of chest, abd, and pelvis.  My onc didn't do bones.  I had the initial baseline ct and then had them q 6 months the first year and then yearly.  My current onc doesn't do ct scans as much.  He does more brain mri because I'm her2+ and he says that means higher chance of brain mets.  I don't think the amount of radiation you will get will hurt you.  Take a deep breath.  Once you get a treatment plan, you will feel better.  Good luck.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 1,245
    edited January 2009

    Hi Mom of boys! I am so sorry you had to join the club, nerve wracking isn't it?! I have found the tests and waiting for the results WAY more fear inducing than actually finding out!  I threw up the morning of my appointment to find out the results of my biopsy and nearly fainted while in the waiting room, awful........... but when I did find out I almost relaxed, at least I KNEW and could move on to the next step.  Best of luck with your tests, the discussion boards on this website have saved my sanity, I honestly don't know what I would have done without all of these wonderful people they are a gift from God.

    Lorraine ox

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 1,245
    edited January 2009

    Thanks Bre! It sounds like it just depends on the onc huh? I have heard some don't do them and some do them all the time.  I have them on Wednesday, I may have to pop a xanax before I go! I have horrid panic attacks, so I will try to remain calm :)........

    L ox

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wishiwere
    wishiwere Member Posts: 3,793
    edited January 2009

    So many different ways to dx and tx.  My onco doesn't do CT or other tests unless you have node involvement or symptoms.  I'm a stage 1c according to the path report, and non have been done.

    Well, I did get my pcp to do a baseline BoneDensity when I started Arimidex, but it wasn't the onco.

    If it were me...I'd be askin WHY they need them.  Perhaps it's for baseline and that's great.  But if it's just their normal trend, I'd not want the extra radiation either.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mom_of_boys
    Mom_of_boys Member Posts: 556
    edited January 2009
    Fairy49....... I've wondered, are we allowed to "pop a xanax" before our various scans?  If so, do we gotta admit to it?  Wink
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 1,245
    edited January 2009

    MOB! Oh gosh! I learned my lesson with the biopsy, I didn't have anything as I never normally take pills, however after my DX my PCP gave me a prescription for xanax, just 0.5mg tabs and I take half and that works great for me! Why suffer! My friend who had BC used to take a valium before all of her scans etc and she never checked with the doc and I have never thought to ask......:)

    wishiwere, I am 1c also with no nodes had the bi-lat clean/negative margins etc, so I just feel this might be too much........and then I think maybe its a good idea just to have peace of mind that all is well, my onc insists he needs them so that next year when he does them again......jeez, they can see any changes, and then he says "well don't you want to know if you have a kidney stone", uh, not really!! but thanks! I just think sometimes these test are done "just because", like a standard thing for everyone or at least with my onc, so if he does it for one he does it for everyone, no customized care I guess..............maybe I am overthinking it, I do tend to do that with most things, very annoying........I quit drinking 9 years ago, damn it! :) wine used to be able to turn off the overthinking thing............but I would fall over, so not sure what is worse!

    L

    ox

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mom_of_boys
    Mom_of_boys Member Posts: 556
    edited January 2009
    Fairy49.... WOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!  I like your line of thinking!!!!  Cool
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • darsura
    darsura Member Posts: 71
    edited January 2009
    My oncologist only ordered blood work and a chest x-ray so far, and I had had a chest x-ray before my surgery, so I didn't have to do another. But I see him for a second time later this week to get started on an AI, so if he orders anything else, I'll let you know.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 1,245
    edited January 2009

    arsura, I had the chest x-ray prior to surgery too, plus BS told me that they can see a lot of the chest when they did the original MRI with contrast that actually found my lump.  I don't mind having tests I just HATE having to wait for the results its so nerve wracking as you ALWAYS think the worst or at least I do I am horrible when it comes to that! I have my scans tomorrow, have to be there at 7am to get my dye injected........oh fun!! I spoke to a few friends who have been through this and most have said that their oncs do the scans to get a baseline for the future, so I guess its not necessarily a bad thing, just more tests aaaaahhh! :)

    L

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 1,245
    edited January 2009

    Good Morning ladies!

    I just wanted to let you know that I got the results from my CT scans (chest, abdomen, pelvis) and bone scan - oh what fun it was! anyhoo, everything was CLEAR!!! I had to wait two days for the results and thought I was going to go insane, but finally they called on Friday, I feel so blessed, so now just waiting on Oncotype DX score (they dropped the ball somehwere over the holidays and didn't send it out aaaaahh) so more waiting!  I honestly think the waiting is the worst! Thanks for listening!

    Lorraine ox

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • darsura
    darsura Member Posts: 71
    edited January 2009

    Glad all your scans were clear !  My onc didn't order any, but wanted a bone density done.  Since I had one a few months back before this whole BC stuff, that will serve as my baseline.  Hope your oncotype score arrives soon !  I agree, the waiting is so hard.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories