CancerCompass message board discussion started by Annie59 on 4/15/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23084,0.htm Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ hi,  my follow up involves   a CEA  and image study of my liver by CT or by ultrasound.   Is that enough?????  What about an MRI or PET ???   I have stage 3 cc,  have done 9 cycles and I'm reading about everyone having all these tests done but it's not on my protocal.....what should I be asking for??    Anna Annie59 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Get a PET scan along with the CT scan.  PET scan showed more clearly the stage of a recurrence which is much more helpfull in determining treatment decisions. If CT initially shows signs of growth or recurrence they will usually follow up with PET..  Either way the PET is the surest of the two. Arnold Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Actually my follow up is similar to yours. I was stage 3, 2 node involvement and all I am got was bloodwork and an ultrasound. Interestingly, up here in Canada we do not have access to PET. It is available but is still being tested to determine diagnostic protocols. I am going to ask my Doc about this also. Cheers  LToronto Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT annamy husband's liver surgeon told him that after the first yr that they do either a pet scan or mri every six months- that is some rare cases that the test they do can cause cancer.  so instead of every three months they now recommend every six months.  my husband's schedule after he finished his chemo lin may 07 wasaugust 07-  pet scan and chest xray and blood worknovember 07- blood work and CEA countjanuary 08- colonoscopyfebruary 08- mri of the livermay 08 - blood work and CEA countaugust 08- pet scan and chest xray and blood workso i am assuming thisis  the schedule he will be on for the next few yrs-  as long as nothing show up.  My husband was classified as stage four with liver involvement and two or three positive lymph nodes involved.hope this helpsdebbie  Debbie2 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT that's some good "free" health care LtCalley Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT I scratch my head when I see all the testing during and post chemo done by others. I was stage 3a, and I've had my port flushed once with a shot of heparin since I finished chemo 10 weeks ago, and nothing else. Is my onc reckless or is all this testing a money generating thing ( I am being treated under a private health scheme, not the state) waynew Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT There is no standard protocal.  It depends on your stage, on your doctors policy, on what is going on in your blood and on you.I have Stage IV colon to liver.  I get bloodwork and a CT every six months.  I had 1 colonoscopy 1 year after my surgery.  I know other Stage IV's who are no longer seeing their doctor after finishing their chemo.  As a Stage IV, I'd rather get a CT every 6 months then not.  About a year ago I also had an MRCP (basically an MRI of my abdomen) to find out why my liver enzymes are still high.  But, it didn't answer any questions.    Since some studies showed that PET scans aren't that effective in detecting cancer, some insurance companies dropped it. So it's up to the patient to be informed and also to decide what you want to do.  Some people are scared of the radiation they get from CT's and therefore don't get one.  I initially had to pay for my colonoscopy, but when they found something, the insurance company picked it up.     Cptmac Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Nor true - PET  sacn saved my life.  It showed the cancer recurrence and set the staging to allow selective treatment.  Every thing I have read on PET scan is VERY positive.  I would not identify problems without identifying specific sources.  Do you have them?  Please share .  I had recurrent cancer and received radiation along with Chemo in Dec last year.   I am currently on Folfox, etc, and have 3 treatments remaining.  We are going to do a PET scan in May this year after treatment.  It is the best and most widely used technology going on at this time Arnold Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Don't get me wrong, I'm all for PET scans.  I believe they are beneficial.  Heck, I even agreed to pay for my own colonoscopy, however once it was discovered I had Stage IV colon cancer, the insurance company had to kick in, because obviously, it was medically necessary for me to have one.  But when studies came out that showed that PET scans are not necessary for follow-up check ups that CT's were good enough, some insurance companies dropped them including mine.  So I rely on my CT and blood work to continue telling me I'm NED.  However, when my 5 years is up, I will pay out of pocket for a PET so I can feel confident that I am clean.   I was just answering the above persons question on whether or not his doctor was being reckless.  I think it is important that a patient is informed and knows all of his options.  Even if his insurance won't pay for it, you can always pay out of pocket.  I know people who live in Canada and the UK who come to this country and pay out of pocket for the great health care we recieve in this country.  So I do believe that PET scans are helpful.  I would encourage everyone to get one.  Cptmac Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Here are some sites http://mrw.interscience.wiley.com/cochrane/clsysrev/articles  http://jco.ascopubs.org/cgi/reprint/JCO.2005.04.0063v1.pdf  And  http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/colon.pd Cptmac Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT To all- Just this week my mom had both a PET scan and a CT scan the SAME DAY at Dana Farber. (long story why..)Anyway, the PET was clean while the contrast CT showed small liver mets. Chrisobrn Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT  I did not get  any scans   after I had surgery for Stage 2 Colon cancer. I did 6 months of chemo.  My stomach  was bothering me so I requested a scan a year later.  I was then  diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer  with metastisis  to the stomach. After surgey and chemo again my  NEW  oncologists now  alternate  a pet and ct scan every 3 months and a colonoscopy every year for at least the next three years. Every doctor is different. . You know your body better than anyone. If your worried request a scan or whatever you think you may need. My cea has always been low so they cant go by that with me. I am now going into my second year cancer free. Good luck to you. Hope your doing well. Skittlebug Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT