Scans

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crs003
crs003 Member Posts: 73
edited July 2015 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

What scans do you get to know if the chemo is working and how often do you get them? For either adjuvant or neo-adjuvant. I am doing neo-adjuvant chemo and will have my first post chemo ultrasound 8 weeks into treatment. What other scans should I be getting?

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited June 2015

    I don't think I got any after chemo started. Still haven't, 2 1/2 years later. .

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  • jbdayton
    jbdayton Member Posts: 700
    edited June 2015

    I understand the standard of care is no scans needed unless an area of suspicion needs to be checked.

    I did have one after chemo but before surgery, requested by my breast surgeon.

    A year later my radiation oncologist requested a scan because I had a very hard lump in my reconstructed breast. It ended up being radiated tissue but coincidentally it was in my original tumor area and against the chest wall. My original BS decided I needed to keep an eye on that area. I had another scan 6 months later and nochanges, so now I will be on annual check for the next 3 years.


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  • DL3
    DL3 Member Posts: 154
    edited June 2015

    my last chemo is tomorrow Wed June 17. and my Oncologist has already ordered my PET scan and echocardiogram ... once insurance approved for a date first of July. I am Neoadjuvant ER- PR- HER2+ the PET and echo were discussed before chemo started as is part of his protocal so I was expecting to have them.

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited June 2015

    At the conclusion of five months of neoadjuvant chemo, I got a PET scan and an MRI. Otherwise, we just measured the shrinkage of the lump with a ruler! I know, I know --- really high tech. But, even the ruler showed shrinkage, so I guess that was OK.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited June 2015

    I have had no 'routine scans' since finishing TX 5 1/2 yrs ago. I did not have any during chemo but Rads Dr insisted he wanted,a new CT so had it a week before starting rads (right before my 12th Taxol). My TX plan was different than most - I did A/C neoadjuvant, UMX, Taxol adjuvant and then rads.

    I have had some limited area scans but they were limited to areas where there was potential. So far, I've had a head MRI, 2 Bone Scans and an abdominal MRI. Of course, I have my anual mammo and DEXA. I do NOT want any radiation that is not absolutely necessary.


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  • mombuns
    mombuns Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2015

    I was diagnosed with Triple Negative, Metaplastic breast cancer in April, 2014. Finished chemo in Dec. 2014 and radiation in Feb 2015. July, 2015 had bone scan, and ct of chest, abdomen, and pelvis. I received barium sulphate drink, radioactive injection, and contrast injection. Five days later I had vaginal bleeding and am wondering if there is a connection. Has anyone else ever had this happen and do you think it is a side effect? I also had a bone strengthening infusion, Zoledronic Acid, the day before all the tests.

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