Scans?

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1

Hello Ladies

After reading various threads quite a lot mention that you have either a CT or MRI scan after being diagnosed and found to have cancer cells spread to lymph node. Well, I had a 2.2cm tumour removed with clear margins and sample lymph nodes taken where 1 of 9 found with cancer cells. Now halfway through chemo. Not once has my oncologist mentioned having a CT or MRI scan or removing remaining lymph nodes. Should I be concerned and how would I know if there’s further spread?

Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks,

Carol

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HI Carol

Baseline scans done for what is called ‘staging’ are ordered for a few reasons - nodal status, grade of tumour, size of tumour, oestrogen receptor status, patient’s age, results of blood tests etc. I know the Onc I used to work with didn’t do scans unless there were three or more nodes involved - as a general rule of thumb. However it did depend on the other factors I state above. I think if your Onc is happy with not scanning you, then you shouldn’t be overly concerned. They don’t do regular scans looking for recurrence in bc follow up, either, unless a symptom warrants further investigation. As for your lymph nodes, 9 is not too bad a number to have removed, I think that is would be what is called a ‘level two’ clearance - and research has shown that there is no difference in outcome for ladies who have ‘level three’ clearance versus ‘level two’. Just ask your Onc/Surgeon what level of clearance you had, it should be in the operation notes. As an example I had 11 nodes removed in total.

Fuschia
xxxx

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Thanks Fuschia

I’m due to start with Xeloda chemo tablets this Tuesday so I’ll ask the question.
I’m 43 by the way and have been found to be oestrogen positive so I suppose it will mean Tamoxifen aferwards.

Thanks,

Carol

4

Hi Carol

I edited it a bit, it may make more sense now !! You must be on TACT2. Yes you’ll be on tamoxifen, as you are probably not post-menopausal yet?

F
xxx

5

Hiya,

just to say that I am also Er+ve and am 35 years old but I will be having Arimidex along with Zoladex rather than Tamoxifen. I was told that this is due to the fact that I am HER2+. As I am pre-menopausal the Zoladex will be given to temporarily shut my ovaries down.

Kelly
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