In my treatment team, there are three doctors:ENT (he also the surgeon), the radiation oncologist doctor and the chemo doctor. Now, I am wondering how many doctors should see for the follow-up checks. Is it necessary to see all of them ? I felt that it may be enough if see the ENT and the radiation doctor, I would appreciate any input about this subject.

In my own case, I alternate between a head and neck surgeon and a radiation oncologist. My choice is based on picking individuals who I know have the experience to recognize oral cancer visually, and by palpation / feeling. Neither the radiation doctor nor the surgeon were my treating doctors, since they are half a country away. I send my annual MRI and CT to my treating doctors at MDACC for their visual review even though a local radiologist has read them. It may be an unnecessary step, but I trust them implicitly, and an extra set of trained eyes never hurts. So for me it is not about a doctor

WZ, for me the treatment team also contains the three types of doctors you mentioned even though I didn't go through neck surgery. Regarding the follow up appointments, the radiation oncologist played the major role. I saw the ENT surgeon for a couple of times only after completing treatment. And since he is just next door to my radiation oncologist, I can consult him upon request. So far I have been lucky to have this radiation oncologist taking care of me and he is able to answer all my questions during the appointment.He is also the one arranging all necessary tests for me.I only met the chemo doctor each time before chemo treatment and have never met him again after completion.

Karen stage 4 tonsil cancer diagnosed in 9/01.

Thanks, Brian and Karen. I think I would follow-up with radiation doctor and ENT doctor.

In my treatment, chemo did not play the major role. The doctor said it simply made the cancer cell more sensative to the radiation, the dosage was low too.

Hi WZ,
Just completed radiation today and I have followup appointments scheduled with the Oncologist and Radiation Oncologist. This will go on for a while (6 months or so)and then I will start getting quarterly checkups by the Head and Neck surgeon (I didn't have surgery either)

Gary

Stage III SCC, Right Tonsil

WZ,

I was treated with 3 dr.s also and I've had follow ups with all of them. Each doctor tends to look at a different thing. The ENT closely examines my oral cavity. The radiation doc examines all of the sites that were in the rad field to make sure there are no problems, and the chemo doc checks the levels of different things in my blood to make sure there are no effects from the chemo. Each doctor has a schedule of follow ups that they keep to, and as time goes on the visits get less and less. In my case, my last treatments were in September. I see my ENT every 8 weeks, my radiation dr. every 6 months, and now get to see the chemo doc once a year.
Make sure the doctors you choose to follow up with screen you for any possible lasting effects from your specific treatments.

WZ, in my case the radiation oncologist and chemo doc were the same doc. So saw the ENT and the Radiation doc each once a month. Only thing differnt, the doc that did the actual surgery was visiting from Vancouver, and I see him when he happens to be in Hong Kong. Turns out he's the one that "found" the new tumour, will be doing the second neck dissection next week.

Guess it never hurts to have several sets of eyes checking things out.