Followup scans done too early are too easily messed up by the healing tissue, esp PET scan. In my case, my first post-op scan was at one year.

Here is a recent article in the WSJ regarding the hiring of "Radiological Police" to ensure justification of expensive scans:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122591900516802409.html

They are called Radiological Benefits Managers.


Age 67 1/2
Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05
Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08
Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08
Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06
Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08)
Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08)
On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.