Is a ct scan routine at diagnosis ?

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Hi , have just started my chemo 3 x fec , 3 tax

The nurse giving me the chemo was a bit surprised I had not had a CT scan at diagnosis . Is this normal ? have others had it as routine ?

It has worried me a bit that I’ve gotten this far without any scans apart from mammogram/ultrasound. My oncologist thought I had one too ? felt like I’ve slipped through the net a bit but hanging on to the fact if they really thought I needed one they would have sent me asap .

Cally

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Hi Cally

I think different areas do different things, as am sure others will tell you. I had all three scans straight after being dx with bc. Had MRI, bone and CT scans within a week.

If you are worried I would really speak to your onc or bc nurse and see what they say. After all it is your life and your health.

Let us know how you get on.

Take care
Dawn
x

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Hi Cally

Were you node negative - if so you dont get any other tests apart from mammogram.
Love
ALise

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HI Alise and Dawn
am er /pr positive her negative. I guess thats good

Dawn what was your diagnosis ? just wondering what prompted them to give you a full set of of scans. I’m going private so shouldnt be an issue I guess

cally

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Hi Cally

I was told on 16 July had bc, then had scans that week and told 10 days later that had liver mets. Have no idea why they did all three scans, MRI was because my left boob inconclusive and still is apparently. Had no symptoms and onc was very surprised with liver dx, as not been unwell or nothing. We are looking at getting second opinion now though and liver surgeon maybe too, as want to find out about ablation and resection and anything else can throw at me.

Have no idea of grade or size or lumps, but am supposedly her2+, but apparently that is now borderline and doing what is called FISH test - so who knows.

Good luck with your treatment though and write down all your questions on a pad for any appointments so you don’t forget, as minds seem to go blank when you walk in.

let me know how you go.

Love
Dawn
x

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Forgot to say
Also I had one node tested positive , a few cells . All clear from lumpectomy

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Hi Cally

I had the full set of scans just after diagnosis, pre chemo.

I still don’t know if I’m node positive, they will remove them at the same time as my mastectomy and find out then.

Maybe it’s just different areas/consultants etc?

Cecelia. x

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Hi Cally,

I’m being treated in Leicester and am node positive - there you don’t get any scans unless you have symptoms to suggest the cancer has spread.

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OK
sounds like me too , wont worry unnecessarily , got enough to think about …

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I haven’t had a CT, but I did have an MRI as I have lobular cancer. It doesn’t show on a mammogram until it is quite large, and the ultrasound was inconclusive. Lobular can also be growing independently in other parts of the breast and in the other, so the MRI was to check for anything else. It is just the one lump, but it is a bit too big in the place it is in my small B left breast, which would have meant a masectomy at this point. So they suggested on Monday I have chemo first, so that is what we are doing. Had my first of six AC today. Mid-course they will check if it is shrinking. If not, they’ll switch me to Taxotere.

I would phone your bc nurse and ask her if it is routine, and why oncology think you should have had one.

Good luck!