Hi,
I recently visited with my oncologist and one of my questions for him was whether there was much risk involved in getting a CT scan every 3 months.

He said that there is significant risk in terms of longevity down the road and that I should have a scan at 3 months post radiation, 6 months, then once a year thereafter. He also said that scans are particularly useful for following oral cancer sufferers who's neck tissue has become thick, ("woody" was the word he used) and thus difficult for a doctor to palpitate accurately. Describing my neck as pretty pliable, he thought seeing my ENT surgeon every six weeks for a physical examination with occasional CT scans was a less risky strategy and one that would be just as effective monitoring me.

So, my question is how often are you getting a scan that involves radiation to look for recurrences post-treatment? Does the frequency of the scans change from year to year post-treatment? Has your doctor talked about the risks associated with CT scans in particular? Thanks, Sheldon

Hi Sheldon!
Bummer, no one mentioned risks with CT scans. I have had one every 6 months post radiation and chest xray every year. No one has mentioned changing the schedule. I see the ENT every 6 months and radiation doc every 6 months, scheduled so someone sees me every 3 months. They said this would continue until year 5. Oncologist doesnt even want to see me, said he was too busy with sick people!! That was about as far in the future as we got! - Kris

Why CT? MRI's are better for soft tissue and pose no risk. UCSFCCC requires them on an annual basis along with a chest x-ray. CT's kick out the highest x-ray dose of any scanning modality.

Gary, my GP raised the same question about the CT, suggested that since I've had radiation twice that maybe CT wasn't the best way to go, exept for the PET part. He suggested PET/MRI, which I"ve never heard of and doubt exists, although if they could make it work would be great I think.

Bob

Actually there is fusion software that will allow them to meld PET and a CT or MRI images but I don't believe that there is an actual PET/MRI machine yet.

Dan has had a few PET/CTs before and after chemo/rad. He goes to his Rad Oncologist every month, his oral surgeon every two months and has a PET/CT every two to three months.

Good question, it has not occured to me that there might be a danger...

There is always a danger when energy is introduced into the body. This is why the FDA, which started as the BRH, Bureau of Radiological Health, takes a very serious interest in this subject. And this extends not only to x-rays but also microwave ovens, TV's, computer monitors, even ultrasound, etc.