Sis Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 Requesting some feedback, Please. I read on many bios that most cancer patients are receiving MRIs, CT or PET scans quite frequently. Since my sister's diagnosis 6/06 she has received: 7/06: PET scan & MRI and 9/06: CT scan. Her doctor has scheduled an x-ray for Nov. 9th. Nothing else prior to that. It seems like she should be receiving these scans more frequently. How do the doctors know if her treatments are doing any good if testing is done so infrequently? Am I being too impatient? Is this timing normal? I'm so glad I discovered this site. You all are such a tremendous help. Thanks as always for any info shared. Sis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 My husband has CT scans approximately every 3 months. He gets a PET about once a year. If she had a scan 9/06 she shouldn't be due till December if her onc is scanning quarterly. I think most people are on a 3 month time line. I hope she does well with her treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 DEb was on a 3 month time line for scans. It is good that he is on top of things and just getting started is keeping tabs on things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 My mom was and my dad is on a 3 month time line. Now that my mom is 3 years out as of this month and her scans were clean, her scans will be once a year. My dad is newly diagnosed and he was told he will have two scans at 3 months intervals and then at 6 month intervals. Of course this is assuming all is stable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracyD Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 I have scans every six weeks, for now. The first treatment I had was a clinical trial which called for scans every six weeks. The treatment I'm on now, chemo with Avastin, I also have scans every six weeks. I guess my doc just likes to know what's going on right away. He tells me if something is not working then we just move on. I'll have another set of scans after the final two rounds of chemo (one of which I've had already). If the scans show stable or improvement I will then go to a three month scan period. I've only had one PET scan, which was back in March, and one bone scan and one brain MRI, both done in April. I really don't know when I might get any of those again. Hope this helps. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 depends on the doctor. First one wanted scans every 3 months. At 2 years out, he up'ed it to 4 months. Next doctor wanted them every 6 months. (that was not acceptable to me) This doctor I see now agrees every 3 months for me. Also, if I am symptomatic, I get a scan, Including brain MRI. The doc will alternate chest, abdomen, pelvis with Chest alone. All with contrast as per my request and also high resolution, again, at my request. Most doctors will give lc pts. anything within reason. That has been my experience. Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed70 Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 Mom my gets scanned every three months. This beast can progress fast at times and her and onc and the family feel good about three months. Now, of course, if she were having things suddenly going on, she would get scans "off schedule". I hope this helps!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welthy Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 Depends on insurance too! Tony gets CAT and PET scans every three months faithfully. Has had interim x-rays when they suspected pneumonia a few times. This is just how our Doc works. I actually wish he'd do them more often sometimes as I can't stand not knowing, but he tells us that each different chemo needs time to work. Welthy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 I am on a 3 month schedule for PET/CT scan. I will likely keep that schedule for the next 2 years at least, regardless of whether I get any more cancer or not. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 I would say every three-four months... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchurchi Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 Alan is has CT scan and brain MRI every 3 months and bone scan every 6 months. As Alan has SCLC he will be on this schedule for awhile. Good luck to you and your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sis Posted October 30, 2006 Author Share Posted October 30, 2006 Thank you one and all for your feedback. I feel like I have a host of medical professionals who are always on call to help me. Sis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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