I will second what has already been said. My primary oncologist/ENT and my Radiation Oncologist both use direct visualization every visit. "Direct visualization" is manually examining and visualizing the affected area, as opposed to relying on a scan.

PET/CT is a useful adjunct to direct visualization, but it is only another tool. Especially when you have had radiation, PET/CT will show "areas of concern" etc., due to the tissue changes and inflammation. My medical oncologist ordered a baseline PET/CT for me, which I had yesterday, as I am just about at the 3 month mark post-treatment. I have a fair amount of radiation fibrosis in my neck, so I know that the report will come back with suspicious areas there. I have had my tongue base, vocal cords and related areas directly visualized by three different doctors over the last three weeks, and all looks "great" according to them.

Given the huge number of patients these oncologists see, I am very trusting of their direct visualization, and am not overly concerned about the scans at this point. Hope all turns out well for you!!