Frequency of scans

My wife was getting them done every 3 months, but they have now moved her to every 4 months.

Thanks. I've seen this Marijen. However, as it notes in the article cancers from medical radiation can take anywhere from five to 60 years to develop. But as someone with advanced cancer, I also have to recognize that an undiagnosed progression of stage IV cancer while receiving an ineffective treatment can end my life in under a year depending on where the progression is located. I certainly don't want unnecessary scans but it is a balancing act to determine my own risk tolerance. Personally, I'm comfortable with my MO's approach but it is a good reminder that scans are not without their own risks, particularly for those who are early stage.

Wishing everyone a great weekend.

Mine were originally every 3 months and my next would be due now, but my M.O. said he's comfortable holding off for another month since it's obvious that my treatment is working. At first I was disappointed because there's some peace of mind with a no-progression scan, but then I realized that he's right, we do know that my treatment is working so why submit myself to the additional stress of a scan earlier than I need it. And when I was having some new back pain he was the first to suggest accelerating my scan, so I think it's a good balance.

I know that as someone with advanced cancer it probably doesn't make sense to worry about having all of that radioactive material injected into your body on a regular basis, but I still do think about it. I had a battery of contrast scans, some of them multiple times, over the course of three days when I was first diagnosed and they were trying to get a grip on how fast it was growing. I was fine with quarterly PET scans, but when I learned that I was also supposed to get quarterly MUGA scans it bothered me. I was happy that my cardiologist recommended an echocardiogram instead, and even happier when he said that my heart was so strong that he didn't need to see me again for another 6 months unless I had problems. I have a love/hate relationship with scans.

I had PET-CTs every three months—I think once it was four at my request—for the first three years of mbc. There were also a couple CTs and a bone scan in there. That’s a lot of scans. During that time my onc and I learned that for me, my tumor marker was extremely accurate. It always corresponded to symptoms and scans. In fact, it predicted scan results. When I started Xeloda about ten months ago, the marker plunged and went to low normal. So now I am in a period of calm with no scans for about ten months. It is a nice break from scanxiety. If the marker rises or I have any symptoms, I know my onc will order a scan asap. If I said I wanted one I think she would order it . But I’m comfortable with this right now.

Six months for a bit, then every year. Then every 4 months whist we were waiting to switch meds (for extra monitoring). I had a CT last April because I was on a clinical trial, and one in January because my liver function tests were wonky. Next one will be when the TMs start to rise higher than we are happy with. I'd guess some time this summer (ask me next week after the blood draw).

All this is to say -- for cause. We do scans only if there's a good reason. And since I'm OK with that and my onc is OK with that, it works for us.

bloomingdalechik -- After my first treatments, I was NEAD for 4 years. My tumor markers have been very reliable. So, we did scans every 6 months and then every 8-10 months until progression was found. We are back to 3-4 months now, but if your markers have been reliable, I know that I'd feel comfortable going longer like that again.

My wife's oncologist has now told us, through the nurse, after our latest meeting, that she only wants to meet with my wife every 3 months from now on. Not impressed, with either the manner of not telling us face to face, nor the lack of personal attention this will bring. Is that normal? Only seeing your oncologist every 3 months while undergoing treatment for stage IV?

I saw my oncologist monthly for the first four or five months. As my condition stabilized, I now see her every three months. My oncologist offered that as an option and I prefer that. I do get blood work and Xgeva shots monthly-the blood work gives clues to my condition. My oncologist also said to call or come in if anything seemed wrong. I get scanned every 3 months, so I see her about a week after my scans. We were going to switch to 4 months but since I'm in my 18th month of Ibrance, we decided it's better to stick with 3 in case I get progression.

I'm 3 years out from mets diagnosis. I was scanned every 3 months for the first year, then every 6 for year two, and now we are at an annual scan for my body. My only met site was the brain. I was scanned every 3 months for the first year, then during year 2 we did a 4 month scan and another in 6 months. That last one showed a possible progression, so my neuro onc is moving me back down to 4 months to see if there is any changes on the next scan.

Throughout all of this my tumor markers have been very, very low and a good indicator for me. I see my MO every 3 months for a check-up and bloodwork. We discuss tumor markers at this appointment. I'm comfortable with my schedule and thankful that I don't have to struggle with scananxiety very often. That being said, though, each case is very unique. My MO has sent me for 2nd and 3rd opinions regarding his treatment of me and works closely with my neuro onc. All the docs agree that my single brain met is a very odd situation so there's no "guidebook" to follow. We communicate a lot and I am comfortable with my treatment at this time.

I have almost reached the 7 year mark since dx. I started out with scans every 3 months, then went to 6 months and we are now considering going to annual. I also see my mo only every 6 months. I have been NEAD since initial tx. Of course, should I experience any symptoms, my mo will see me sooner. It may sound strange to some, but moving away from the initial close monitoring, makes me feel more normal and less like a time bomb. Most of you know that I'm a "less is more" type of person, so this suits me. My mo is great, but the early constant vigilance made more nervous. I feel much more relaxed now

And yet for me, there would be more of a psychological toll in not seeing my onc monthly. I want to know she is still thinking of me and watching the horizon for a new ship bringing another treatment to put on our short list. And I always have issues or questions to bring up. The one time we tried spacing the visits out more, that was when my scan or TM was concerning, and then I had to try and get squeezed in the schedule. It seems to me that the oncologist should take not only the patient's medical condition, but her preference, into consideration when planning the frequency of visits. It should be individualized.