Scans - What did your doc suggest?

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DebRox
DebRox Member Posts: 437
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

Just wondering what pre-chemo scans your doctor recommended?

It seems to me doctors are reluctant to scan when you are a stage I or II.  I was at least thinking of asking for a chest xray to have a baseline.  But somehow wonder if I should have a pet scan.

I don't have any symptoms other than worry.  But still, not sure.  I know the worry with scans is that you could end up chasing "ghosts".

To you ladies out there. what did you do?

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  • Kathy044
    Kathy044 Member Posts: 433
    edited May 2011

    Hi DebRox, as I understand it, the pre chemo tests are to ascertain whether or not you are a suitable candidate to receive chemo and not to go looking for trouble. I had a MUGA and bone scan, I also had bloodwork to check kidney and liver function among other things.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited May 2011

    I had a PET scan and an echocardiogram after BMX and prior to chemo.

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  • pejkug3
    pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
    edited May 2011

    I had no scans at all.  My surgeon did do a chest xray.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2011

    I had an echocardiogram because I was going on AC - potentially hard on the heart.  I also had a PET Scan.  I just kind of believe that everyone should have some kind of a baseline scan.

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited May 2011

    I had a chest xray prior to surgery and a CT scan and bone scan before chemo.

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  • raincitygirl
    raincitygirl Member Posts: 3,143
    edited May 2011

    I had no scans until just before starting Arimidex and then they did a bone density.  I could not talk my docs into any sort of scan at all.........still can't.  At my visit last week to follow my first two months on the A pill, I asked about tumor marker tests.  They don't seem to like those either, for the same reason.

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited May 2011

    chest xray, bilateral MRI and a MUG\A before chemo

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  • dsnydawn
    dsnydawn Member Posts: 175
    edited May 2011

    when I asked my BS about having scans ,she told me they usually don't do them (not sure of reason) but when I went to see my oncologist he sent me for a CT & bone scan ..I did have lumpectomy on 4/13 but need mx which I'm going to NOLA for diep on 5/11 and they required chest xray...sometimes I feel you get a different story from each doctor you ask

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  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited May 2011

    I had MUGA, whole body bone scan, CT w/wo contrast of head, chest,abdomen and pelvis. I had an invasive 5cm tumor and they were checking for mets. All were done after MX prior to chemo.

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  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited May 2011

    I had CT and bone scans after my lumpectomy. Fortunately, both were clear from BC perspective. I also had the heart scan pre chemo and a pelvic ultrasound to check something found on the CT.

    I have just finished chemo and am not sure what future scanning my onc has planned for me.

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  • CarylC
    CarylC Member Posts: 230
    edited May 2011

    I had an echocardiogram for Herceptin but no other scans.  I saw 3 different oncs and they all said "we don't chase cancer, that's why you are getting chemo."  They assume there is some floating around from the biopsy, surgery, nodes, etc., but the chemo and rads will take care of it.

    I'm kind of glad.  My dad, who has small cell lung cancer, had some spots show up in his back.  First they dx'd an infection, then they dx'd it as cancer, now they are saying they think it might just be arthritis.  I don't think I could go through that emotional up and down and up again! 

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  • christina1961
    christina1961 Member Posts: 736
    edited May 2011

    I had a breast MRI on both sides, chest x ray before chemo.  Then during chemo due to some shoulder pain & numbness in left hand, I had a bone scan and head CT scan.  All were negative.

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  • poptart
    poptart Member Posts: 101
    edited May 2011

    I had a ct scan w/the stuff that you drink and with injection contrast, a PET scan and a pelvic mri with and w/o contrast.  I had the scan of my heart before chemo.  I had a chest  xray before surgery, surgeon wanted the ct and pet before surgery but I had the mastectomy asap, under a week from when I met with the surgeon and had the biopsy/mastectomy procedure (I asked to have the mastectomy immediately if biopsy was positive for cancer.)

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  • annettek
    annettek Member Posts: 1,640
    edited May 2011

    Two months before DX had chest xray as part of well-woman physical *hardy har har*

    After DX I had an MRI, CT and a bone scan..then the bmx and then five months out my new onc had me get a PET/CT to double check some small spots from CT were just that. Thankfully all negative.

    I think there is a huge range in regards to scans between docs.

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