I had a PET/CT scan in Dec., for my one-year check-up. It was all negative, as were all physical exams and bloodwork. I am to return in 6 months. Is it reasonable to ask for/expect another PET/CT at that time? Would any errant cells that didn't show up in Dec. show up as tumor in 6 months? It gives me the willies to think of waiting a full year for another scan at this point. Perhaps after another several negative scans I will be able to relax some about it. I do not have an advisory board---just my surgeon, who is a nationally known lecturer and head of the head and neck department at a medical center/med. school.

I've only had one PET scan and that was 2 months after surgery. I just passed one year and he doesn't plan on doing another unless signed of recurrence are evident. Makes me nervous too - but I guess they are the experts not us....and everyone is different.

My experience was sort of backwards from Amy's -- My ENT does the first post-rad scan at one year (unless he sees signs that one is necessary, of course) -- From other threads on this forum, it's clear that some Docs don't like to recommend scans at all and others scan often, so if one is really nervous about this, one can find a Doc with a different viewpoint.

FWIW, the longer one goes without recurrence of a cancer, the better the odds that one will not have a recurrence. According to my ENT, when I came out of radiation, I had a statistical probability of being cancer-free free for five years in the 60's -- One year post-rad, that probability has now climbed to 90%! And it improves every month.

BTW, I just posted my experience with the cost of a PET/CT scan in the Financials forum.

Hello to all,

I have had my scans at 3 months. I had my year done and my surgeon said 4 months for the next one. So that is fine with me. I think if you are not happy about the 6 mo. then have it scheduled before then, It is our life that we are play with.!!

To be honest your surgeon will not mind I am sure.

Take care,
Diane