think I may have asked this before but was wondering when diagonsed and have spread to lymph nodes who gets scans.
I asked and was told things would be so tiny wouldnt show up and that also they used to do scans but hardly ever found anything so dont do scans at the start until people have pains. Having a niggle in my back that comes and goes they say is unlikely to be anything as it would be a persistant pain.
i just worry but then also worry that already elsewhere. Ive seen posts on here where others have been relieved as they have had scans to confirm no secondaries and wondered what the status was to get these
xx
Hi Lisa,
I had scans done on my internal organs and chest, before the surgery and before they knew there was node involvement (3/10).
I am being sent for an ECG but that is to detect for heart defects as in rare cases chemo can effect the heart muscle.
My onc asked if I had had a bone scan but didn’t mention if I am getting one, will let you know if I hear of anything.
If you are seriously worried I would keep pushing, I mean if it comes back fine then at least you will feel better in that they have looked.
Thanks for that. I had 1 node involvement and some tissue surrounding it. Only thing Ive had is ECG which is apparently a standard thing before the chemo starts
xx
Yeah think it is but defo push for more scans if you feel it will settle you.
Last thing you need is to be worrying about twinges etc, I think we all think that an ache is the cancer hitting somewhere else.
They do routine bone scan and CT scan here in US. I had a series of them, plus MUGGA scan for heart before the chemo started. And midway through, after AC cycles were over, had a second set since I had an new ultrasound to find how things were going. Had a biopsy on the spot for lymph nodes which came out positive. No number given though.
Surg ordered the second set then…bone and CT…to make sure it had not spread. Thank God, it did not; they came out clear.
Just hearing that does wonders for your state of mind. So ask…just ask…and see if they will get you the bone and CT scans.
I’ve had a dull ache in my left lower back for a little while now - mentioned it to the GP in the passing and he said he would order a bone scan just to be on the safe side as anyone who’d had bc who complains of a sore back needs to have a scan. as a precaution - he did say that it is most likely to just be a sore back tho. I had no lymph node involvement and a low grade cancer so I’m not unduly worried.
Just to let you know I saw my oncologist last week with my treatment plan. He asked me then if I had had any scans or x-rays, which I had not. He said he wanted me to have them which set alarm bells ringing in me and I told him so. His take on it was this, if you have more than one lymph node (2/16) involded he sends you for all the scans. I am going for a bone scan today and a liver ultrasound and chest x-rays on monday and starting chemo on tuesday. He said he doesnt expect any problems and does them as a matter of course. I hope this information helps.
I had a CT scan on Tuesday as I had expressed to my onc my concern over a pain that I have just over my liver area. Last year I was dx with a duodenal ulcer (after camera investigation) and the pain I am experiencing is the same pain. I wasn’t aware that FEC (and maybe other chemos) can give you ulcers and was worried that it may have spread to other areas.
My onc said she would refer me and just 6 days later I got my appt for the CT a week after that - 14 days in total. The CT couldn’t be done with the dye as my veins are totally shot at and they cannot use a portocath (had one fitted 3 wks ago) as it ‘blows’ the port. Luckily they could do the scan without the dye.
It’s just fingers crossed that the pain is a re-occurance of my ulcer and not anything that has spread…onlt time will tell!
I have not been offered any scans, xrays etc yet. I didnt have lymph node involvement or vascular invasion but am grade 3. My oncologist did say that if he sent me for scans etc they would most likely come back clear but wanted to do chemo to make sure. I am 5 weeks post op awaiting for seroma to stop so that I can start chemo. Dont know if this helps.
Hi Lisa
I was sent for routine CT and bone scan last week in preparation to starting chemo on Tuesday. It is a bit scary not knowing the outcome although onc said that there was unlikely to be anything of concern. I had 1 node from 18 affected and some spread to tissues beyond original lump Grade 2 classification. They considered ECT but decided against since I have no history of problems.
I know that we are all different but there does seem to be a different approach depending on where you are treated.
I was offered CT scan one year after dx and said no thanks.If I have no worrying symptoms then I will worry about the scan then worry about the results.If they find nothing I am back where I started from ,having had a pretty huge dose of radiation.If they do find something then 3 possibilities:a)mets which cannot be cured but can be controlled by chemo/rads.b)Indefinable spots/lesions on liver/lungs/brain/bones need more tests back to beginning.c)tiny mets which they keep an eye on with more tests but dont treat until they cause probs.Now if I dont have a scan until I have symptoms which the oncologist feels are worrying then all the options are the same including possible treatments.There is no evidence that life is prolonged by early dx of mets.I know many people need the reassurance of scans but I fear them and I will remain an ostrich until my body forces me to take action;which my onc says is always available if I ask.
Hi Lisa,
my onc sends everyone who has chemo for a bone scan and cat scan as routine and to double check I guess. He says it is just part of what he likes for an overall picture. I had my bone scan really quickly but have not been called for the cat scan, they apparently get tons more referrals but I think mine is lost as it was sent on 2 May. I have no node involvement and still have the scans, might be something to do with being in a centre of excellence and they probably just have to keep up to certain set standards to keep it. I know you have been worrying about this for some time, might be time to get a bit pushy and ask your BCN to push for it, even if you have to get a bit emotional with them. It is your body and although I am sure you are fine, it is only you that this will affect.
Thinking of you
Hugs
Lily x
Like you i was insistant that they scanned me all the time but after a lengthy chat with two oncologists they both agreed that there is no real benefit in doing them as finding metastatic disease early is of no more benefit than finding it later on and all this does is cause more anxiety to the patient…try and take comfort from the fact your are clear at the moment.
I had bone and ct scans within a week of dx and before chemo.They said bone scan was to determine any spread in body.The results showed shadows on my knees so was sent for an ordinary x-ray, which showed it to be ordinary wear and tear - - the mind boggles !!!