What to expect of 1st CT scan after starting chemo?

My husband had his first CT scan last week since starting his chemo treatment. He's stage IV, spread to his lymph nodes but no other organs, no surgery, just chemo. We go see the doctor this Friday and we'll find out how he's progressing. It's been 8 weeks since he began chemo. Should I expect to see a change on the first scan? We're actually really hopeful that we'll see a big change, but I don't want to get my hopes up too much. Just need to know what to expect from the first scan. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

~Kelly

Just to let you know, that the cancer they had diagnosed me with (Hodgkins Lymphoma) was gone after only two chemo therapy treatments.

 

Hope this helps.

Diana

Kelly

The scan will show whatever has happened and the results vary depending on whether it worked or not. We have never had a scan that did not show a change and often did them at 6 week intervals, so if the chemo is working, you should see a change. With that being said, there are many different responses, so if it isn't working, they will know they need to make adjustments. The scan process is so nerve wracking, and never seems to get easier. 

Husband had PET/CT last week as 3 month follow up to see how EOX chemo regimen was doing. Had resolution to lung mets once again, and we did one more infusion Friday, and will see how many days of Xeloda I can get in before he gets too sick. This is the first time we have gone beyond resolution in his history of off and on chemo. He was diagnosed as a stage 4 with lung mets in late 2005, had Ivor Lewis in March 2006 and has had many gaps in treatment since. He does very well with food and weighs a bit more than when we started the journey (even after being in chemo since March).

There is HOPE! Hang in there.

 

hi Kelly,

i was diagnosed just as your husband...stage IV with nearby lymph nodes.  after my 1st 2 chemo treatments food was going down much better.  after 4 treatments (8 weeks) i had my first scan and my tumor had shrunk by 80%!!! 

my prayers are with your husband that he will do just as well as me, if not better!  hang in there and stay positive!

 good luck and keep us posted!

God bless!

-Stacey

Just wanted to give everyone an update. We saw the doctor today and he said that the mets in his lymph nodes have shrunk at least 50%...some a bit higher than that. We are excited about this news and hope that they keep shrinking. The doctor said he can't say about the tumor in his esophagus because he couldn't see it on the scan.

Kelly

You must be really encouraged with the results. It would seem if it is working in one area, that it is most likely working in the esophagus too. Of course they won't say that because they have to cover themselves, but I would be feeling pleased with the way things are going.

You're both in our prayers.