 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Hi Joan,
The NCCN practice guidelines are for an annual chest x-ray and 6 month bloodtest for TSH. They don't mention any other types of scans - that would probably depend on the patients particular case and the doctor (and the willingness of the insurance company or HMO to pay for it). My doctors have told me repeatedly that the visual/palpation exam is the "gold standard".
There are specific guidelines for exam frequency:
year 1 - 1-3 months
year 2 - 2-4 months
year 3-5 4-6 months
year 5+ 6-12 months
This applies to all stages.
"In situ" means "in position", localized".
Gary Allsebrook
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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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