Is my dr. crazy for not ordering follow-up PET/CT scans?

IndysMom8403 · New User Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 1

I am 33, and was diagnosed with IDC last October. Surgery (mastectomy) in November revealed it had spread to 6 of 16 lymph nodes, so between that info and size of tumor I was categorized as Stage III. Had 4 months of chemo, followed by 8 weeks radiation, and now am on tamoxifen for at least 5 years.
My question is: My oncologist (in Wash DC) is NOT recommending any follow-up PET/CT scans because he said the data shows that these scans do not help catch recurrence. He said that doctors in my area (a few hours outside the city, more rural area) are scan-happy and order them when they're not necessary. He said I should stick with 1-2 mammograms a year (on the remaining breast) and chest wall exams on the surgery site, and that's all that's needed.
Anyone have any advice or opinions? Seems like friends and aquaintances I know who live near me are ALL sent for follow up PET/CT scans. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with not having those tests done if they can help detect a problem in the future (I do plan to do the 1-2 mammograms a year and chest wall exams).
Thanks

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 818 Location: UK

Hi - your oncologist seems to me to be sensible. There are slight dangers from frequent scanning, and as he says the results are not totally reliable. If that is his recommendation, I would go along with it.

Cindy · Senior User Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 171

My doc was the same way. When I asked why, he told me that they now wait for symptoms, as finding a cancer any earlier does not make a difference in length of life at that point. I beg to differ. I certainly would want them to find my cancer, via scan, when there are two tumors, versus waiting until I have symptoms and there are 20 tumors that are now all over the place and out of control. Their reasoning does not make any sense to me. I would think that it would be much easier to get rid of two tumors versus 20. I would opt for a PET scan every year or two. I wonder if the insurance companies had any influence in this.
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