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Joined: Mar 2003
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cnilson Offline OP
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My husband is finished with his surgery and radiation treatments. Last month we went to the ENT who did the surgery, and he said we will wait six months to do any scans. He said nothing will show up (wont be able to see) before that. I was just wondering if any else has had their doc tell them the same. It just has really been bugging me, it just doesn't seem right.
Thanks!
Cheryl

Joined: May 2003
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Hi Cheryl,

I've been finished for a couple for years. I asked my Dr about doing scans. He said the visual and touching (that makes you gag) was the best check for future problems. On a seperate problem, I suggest that the family be advised about not talking while eating. I know it is just good manners, but no one wants to be rude and not answer. I still have to chew and swallow slow and carefully, I got choked a few times trying to answer a question rightaway. So now everybody in my house knows I am not being rude if I don't answer. Does that make sense?


I have a free book called "First Hand Look At Having Cancer email for download instructions:
[email protected]
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Hi Cheryl,

In my case when I switched from the ENT to the ENT Oncologist after radiation (and 1 follow-up visit to the ENT) the oncologist was surprised I had not had a baseline CT done after radiation. He sent me for one.

I don't know how frequently he would have done scans since I've been sidetracked and haven't been back to him.

Sorry that's all I can contribute is my expereiene. There was an old post about follow-ups and what most people were doing but I can't seem to locate it.

Take care,
Dinah

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My oncologist, who is currently my primary care physican, ordered a baseline MRI when I was about 30 days out of treatment. Last week I had an exam with my head & neck surgeon and he had reviewed it. He also made an appointment for 2 months from now and every 2 months for the next 2 years. I have an appointment today with the radiation oncologist and on the 19th with the oncologist. They sure are checking me out very closely and I am glad my HMP plan only charges $5.00/visit!


Gary Allsebrook
***********************************
Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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I've been really wondering about the scan thing lately, too. My husband is 42 days post radiation/chemo and nothing has been mentioned about a scan. We see the ENT surgeon and radiation oncologist on Wednesday (they do the follow-up appointments together). I'm going to ask when the first post-treatment scan will be. But I don't have much confidence in CT scans, since neither the tonsil tumor or a second cancerous lymph node was picked up on the CT scan before my husband's treatment. Likewise, a PET scan failed to see anything. Does that mean that a MRI is the best way to go for early detection?

Anita


Husband Dx 12/02 Stage 4 Tonsil Cancer T1N2bM0; surgery, radiation, chemo 1/03 - 4/03.
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I have all the follow up tests including ultrasound, MRI, CT scan and Chest X-ray exactly two months post treatment to confirm the status of tumours in my tonsil and left neck. This had been planned and scheduled during my treatment time since the oncologist had to forward my name early for an appointment to be made since there are a large number of cancer patients in need of such tests in my place.I had monthly meetings with my oncologist for six months and then it was switched to bimonthly until now. Scanning tests were arranged at a half year interval. Sometimes I feel a bit bothered by all these tests and appointments but then I remind myself that the more closely I am watched, the earlier the dectection of any recurrence will be.

Karen stage 4 tonsil cancer diagnosed in 9/01.


Karen stage 4B (T3N3M0)tonsil cancer diagnosed in 9/2001.Concurrent chemo-radiation treatment ( XRT x 48 /Cisplatin x 4) ended in 12/01. Have been in remission ever since.
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My docs also waited about about 90 days from the end of treatment for new scans also, for the same reason you describe Cheryl. In my case the tumor that caused all this second go around of treatment probably wouldn't have shown up if the scan had been done right after the surgery.

So, I guess pro's and cons' either way. Maybe no right or wrong, just different.

Bob


SCC Tongue, stage IV diagnosed Sept, 2002, 1st radical neck dissection left side in Sept, followed by RAD/Chemo. Discovered spread to right side nodes March 2003, second radical neck dissection April, followed by more RAD/Chemo.

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