Pet Scans and Bone Scans after Treatment

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bluesky
bluesky Member Posts: 389
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I finished all my treatments-chemo, radiation in April 2007, I had 2 lumpectomies and am now on tamoxifen for 5 years, I initially had all the pet scans and bone scan and thankfully all was clear, I have two visits a year with my Oncologist and my Surgeon I get a bilateral breast MRI and Ultrasound once a year, my bloodwork is done twice a year and they check the tumor markers.

I have not had any scans since 2006 because my doctors said that they don't do them unless there is reason to.  

I want to know how many of you have done yearly scans, to check things out?  Or were you told the same thing I was?

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited May 2010

    there is no need for scans unless there is a redflag. redflags inculde: changes in blood work...pain...new lumps or thickenings.

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited May 2010

    No scans for me unless symptoms.  Onc wants me to have a bone density scan again this year, but that's it.  Or did he say bone scan?  Hmmmm.  Maybe I better call and double check that one.

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited May 2010

    No routine "met searching" scans for me either.

    Just biannual bone density, annual mammo, MRI and ultrasound. 

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  • bluesky
    bluesky Member Posts: 389
    edited May 2010

    Thanks all for responding!

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  • bejuce
    bejuce Member Posts: 97
    edited May 2010

    Did anyone do a bone scan/CT/PET or anything at all after finishing with active treatment? I'm coming up on my year of Herceptin and am wondering if I should get any scans done to confirm I'm NED.  I (and my doctors) believe I am, but who knows anyways?

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  • bluesky
    bluesky Member Posts: 389
    edited May 2010

    Hi Bejuce,

    I did not get any scans after I finished the treatments, they only did them before I started.

    I don't think there is any need to do them unless there is reason to, such as; increase in blood work tumor markers, pain, or any lumps. This is also what my Oncologist and Breast Surgeon told me.  It's best to consult with you doctor on this.

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited May 2010

    None for me..I will be doing tumour markers though.....

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  • clariceak
    clariceak Member Posts: 752
    edited May 2010

    Tumour markers only until pain or other symptoms warrant a scan.  My onc would prefer not to expose me to more radiation.

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited May 2010

    My onc also only does scans if there are symptoms. I had a CT-PET last week because I'm having the other breast removed & bilat recon so BS ordered the scan. The scan itself was uneventful, but I haven't gotten the results yet and am so stressed waiting I can't describe it.

    I was glad but neutral on not getting routine scans before this. Going through this stress now, I am ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED that I won't be having routine scans.

    Leah

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  • janincanada
    janincanada Member Posts: 258
    edited May 2010

    When I finished Herceptin I had a full CT scan and another MUGA. Every three months I have had scans of one sort or another......torso CT scan, chest xray with Pelvic and abdominal ultrasound, head CT, bloodwork. Every three months she signs me up for another batch of tests.

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  • YATCOMW
    YATCOMW Member Posts: 664
    edited May 2010

    I have had a half a dozen scans due to aches and pains....... I wished I hadn't.

    My plastic surgeon reminds me that all that radiation is really bad......he has really discouraged me to do any more unless there is some REALLY compelling reason.

    Jacqueline 

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  • SusieMTN
    SusieMTN Member Posts: 795
    edited May 2010

    Same as the others, Scans expose you to more radiation.  The only ones I have had are DEXA's and when I am having pain that does not go away, CT  and bone scan.

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited May 2010

    Glad to see others not scanning. Nothing for me either.

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  • Jayne_in_UK
    Jayne_in_UK Member Posts: 517
    edited May 2010

    I will just have yearly mammo on remaining breast and bone density scans because of the Arimidex. My onc does not do tumour markers.

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  • krcll
    krcll Member Posts: 343
    edited May 2010

    Just asked my onc yesterday- only mammo and maybe U/S every year. But he said that he has no problem ordering scans if there is something worrisome. He said that these are the current guidlines in Norway. They are also ASCO's current guidlines in the US, but he says that not all American doctors follow the guidlines. I had every scan in the book before starting on the ALTTO trial during treatment.

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  • amlg1
    amlg1 Member Posts: 596
    edited May 2010

    No scans either here,only if I have symtoms.I had a pet scan before surgery.I understand that it's hard not to want some kind of test,to make sure everyhting is fine.It seems this is normal.

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