For those of you in Stage 1 or 1B and still in remission, how often does your oncologist schedule your CTscans or PETscans after you reach the THREE year mark?

I was diagnosed in May 2006, nsclc, Stage 1b. The tumor had invaded the visceral pleural lining of my lungs. I had CTscans every 3 months until the 2 yr mark. Yesterday I had my first 6 month Scan. I will have another one in July which will be past the 3 yr mark. Provided these scans are ok, my oncologist said he would schedule yearly scans after that.

While I'm praying my CTscan yesterday was fine and I'm elated to be able to go a year if the next scan is ok, it's a little scary to go a whole year without a checkup. For those of you who are still in Stage 1 or 1b and in remission after 3 years, how often does your oncologist recommend scans?

Thanks for any information.

Bette

_________________
"Don't regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many."

Surgery 5/18/06 to remove the lower left lobe. Pathology report showed NSCLC adenocarcinoma, Stage 1B (T2, N0,MO). The tumor had protruded through the visceral pleural lining of the lung.
Chemo Taxotere & Carboplatin every 3 weeks for 4 treatments (June-August 2006)
CTscan 9/25/06 -NED
Chest Xray 12-1-06 - NED
CTscan 1-4-07 - NED
CTscan 4-12-07 NED
Chest Xray 7-18-07 NED
CTscan Chest/Abdomen 9/14/07 NED
CTscan 1/14/08 NED
Chest Xray 4/14/08 NED
CTscan chest/brain 7/21/08 NED
Full Body Bone Scan 12/08 NED
CTscan 1/19/09 NED

CTscan 1/16/09 NED

Hi Bette
I have only been 1 1/2 years since my surgery but my Oncologist said scans will be every 3 months for the first 2 years and every 6 months for the next 3 years. Hoping for great results on your scan.

_________________
02/07 spot showed on chest x-ray
04/07 ct scan confirmed spot
07/07 pet scan could not confirm cancerous
09/07 had lobectomy of upper lobe on left lung.tumour was 2.1cm
10/07 lymph node samples were negative. classified as stage 1b.
12/07 Begin 4 rounds of adjuvant chemotherapy. Cisplatin and Vinerolbine on a 21 day cycle.
01/08 First 3 month chest x-ray was all clear.
03/08 After 3 rounds, cisplatin wil be replaced by carbo for the last round. Ringing in the ears is a side effect of cisplatn.
03/08/08 Had treatment yesterday of Carboplatin/Vinerolbine. So far feeling alot better than when I received the Cisplatin. Treatment lasted 2 hours compared to 5 hours for Cisplatin.
04/08 Chest x-ray. All clear.
06/08 chest CT Scan. All clear
09/08 Chest x-ray. All clear
11/08 Chest x-ray. All clear
02/09 Chest and abdomen CT Scan. All clear
04/09 Chest x-ray. All clear
06/09 Chest x-ray and abdominal ultrasound All clear
01/10 Chest x-ray. All clear

Thanks for your prompt reply, Bruce. Every six months sounds more logical to me.

Bette

_________________
"Don't regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many."

Surgery 5/18/06 to remove the lower left lobe. Pathology report showed NSCLC adenocarcinoma, Stage 1B (T2, N0,MO). The tumor had protruded through the visceral pleural lining of the lung.
Chemo Taxotere & Carboplatin every 3 weeks for 4 treatments (June-August 2006)
CTscan 9/25/06 -NED
Chest Xray 12-1-06 - NED
CTscan 1-4-07 - NED
CTscan 4-12-07 NED
Chest Xray 7-18-07 NED
CTscan Chest/Abdomen 9/14/07 NED
CTscan 1/14/08 NED
Chest Xray 4/14/08 NED
CTscan chest/brain 7/21/08 NED
Full Body Bone Scan 12/08 NED
CTscan 1/19/09 NED

CTscan 1/16/09 NED

I had follow-ups every three months for the first two years, and then we went right to once a year.
For the first three of those annual visits, it was a CT scan.
Now, after five years of clear scans/tests, we are back to an annual chest x-ray with every visit.
It was a tremendous relief to me to be doing only annual visits. I get so anxious and panicky before my visit with my surgeon, that when this was going on every three months, I barely had a calm time.
Now, it's relegated to about a week or two before my visit that I get upset, so I'm good with the plan.
Cindy

_________________
age 56
surgery 6/20/03, stage 1B, upper left lobectomy
started adjuvant chemo on 08/14/03
3 cycles--cisplatin/gemzar
finished chemo 11/6/03
now 9 years post-lobectomy, annual x-ray and follow-up with surgeon
follow-up with oncologist every year/bloodwork and clinical exam

2001 early stage breast cancer/surgery and radiation only, no chemo needed. Mammograms once a year,

Just passed 11 year mark for the breast cancer and 9 year mark for the lung

Hi Cindy,

I'm happy to hear someone else has been able to go to yearly scans. It will be a relief to do that. Like you, the two weeks prior to the scan was very anxious for me. I just wanted to make sure my oncologist wasn't too 'secure' in my prognosis lol. It's scary to be turned loose for a year.

Congrats on your good reports.

Best wishes,

Bette

_________________
"Don't regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many."

Surgery 5/18/06 to remove the lower left lobe. Pathology report showed NSCLC adenocarcinoma, Stage 1B (T2, N0,MO). The tumor had protruded through the visceral pleural lining of the lung.
Chemo Taxotere & Carboplatin every 3 weeks for 4 treatments (June-August 2006)
CTscan 9/25/06 -NED
Chest Xray 12-1-06 - NED
CTscan 1-4-07 - NED
CTscan 4-12-07 NED
Chest Xray 7-18-07 NED
CTscan Chest/Abdomen 9/14/07 NED
CTscan 1/14/08 NED
Chest Xray 4/14/08 NED
CTscan chest/brain 7/21/08 NED
Full Body Bone Scan 12/08 NED
CTscan 1/19/09 NED

CTscan 1/16/09 NED

Hi Bette - I was stage 1A; however, I never did have an oncologist - just a surgeon. I was followed by CXR every 3 months for the first 2 years with a CT scan yearly. I have just moved to 6 month visits (CXR one visit and CT scan prior to the next visit).

I think my surgeon said that because of the type of lung cancer I had they didn't need to scan anymore than once per year so ... I guess my answer isn't much help at all!

Just wanted to let you know I will be waiting to hear the news of your most recent scan and praying all is well. Take care,

Hugs,

Linda

_________________
46 years old at diagnosis
Lucky mom of a 16 year old boy and 15 year old girl

Mar-May 2006-3 CXR's performed; eagle eyed radiologist caught something not quite right-F/U done
May 24, 2006-CT scan-suspicious for lung cancer
June 1, 2006-Went to Vancouver for private PET scan-SUV 1.4; ? bronchioalveolar carcinoma or carcinoid
June 5, 2006-Met with surgeon-thinks 1A-surgery soon
June 20, 2006-Left lower lobectomy via VATS
July 5, 2006-Pathology back-stage 1A, pure non-mucinous bronchioalveolar carcinoma, 1.8 cm, well differentiated
Oct 13, 2006-CXR, good
Jan 16, 2007-CXR, good
April 17, 2007-CXR, good
May 4, 2007-CT scan-good
Sept 18, 2007-CXR, good
Dec 18, 2007-CXR, good
March 18, 2008-CXR, good
May 30, 2008-CT scan-good
Oct 21, 2008-CXR, good-graduated to 6 month visits!
June 5th, 2009-CT scan-good!!!
December 3rd, 2009-CXR-good
May 27, 2010-CT scan-good-moved to once/year CT scan & visit!

4 1/2 years from surgery-so happy to be here!!!

First, thanks to all of you for your replies. My oncologist's nurse phone this morning and said my CTScan was good - no evidence of cancer YAHOO!! I am very excited about this great news and definitely doing the Happy Dance in Texas.

Take care,

Bette

_________________
"Don't regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many."

Surgery 5/18/06 to remove the lower left lobe. Pathology report showed NSCLC adenocarcinoma, Stage 1B (T2, N0,MO). The tumor had protruded through the visceral pleural lining of the lung.
Chemo Taxotere & Carboplatin every 3 weeks for 4 treatments (June-August 2006)
CTscan 9/25/06 -NED
Chest Xray 12-1-06 - NED
CTscan 1-4-07 - NED
CTscan 4-12-07 NED
Chest Xray 7-18-07 NED
CTscan Chest/Abdomen 9/14/07 NED
CTscan 1/14/08 NED
Chest Xray 4/14/08 NED
CTscan chest/brain 7/21/08 NED
Full Body Bone Scan 12/08 NED
CTscan 1/19/09 NED

CTscan 1/16/09 NED

Im so happy for your results Bette! Also my followups were the same as Cindys and I was dxed as stage 2b.

_________________
Dxed nslc stage2b,Aug.05 had right lung and 17 nodes removed which 2 had shown to be effected.August 27,05 had surgery redone again to stop bleeding. Started chemo sept.05 as a precaustioary. Have 3 month visit followups and have been ned so far and am hoping and praying to stay that way.Grade3 squamous cell type(T2,N1,Mo)tumor 10.5 cemtimeters,1 peribronchial node and 1 10R node involved

Bette - whoo hoo - what great news!

Linda

_________________
46 years old at diagnosis
Lucky mom of a 16 year old boy and 15 year old girl

Mar-May 2006-3 CXR's performed; eagle eyed radiologist caught something not quite right-F/U done
May 24, 2006-CT scan-suspicious for lung cancer
June 1, 2006-Went to Vancouver for private PET scan-SUV 1.4; ? bronchioalveolar carcinoma or carcinoid
June 5, 2006-Met with surgeon-thinks 1A-surgery soon
June 20, 2006-Left lower lobectomy via VATS
July 5, 2006-Pathology back-stage 1A, pure non-mucinous bronchioalveolar carcinoma, 1.8 cm, well differentiated
Oct 13, 2006-CXR, good
Jan 16, 2007-CXR, good
April 17, 2007-CXR, good
May 4, 2007-CT scan-good
Sept 18, 2007-CXR, good
Dec 18, 2007-CXR, good
March 18, 2008-CXR, good
May 30, 2008-CT scan-good
Oct 21, 2008-CXR, good-graduated to 6 month visits!
June 5th, 2009-CT scan-good!!!
December 3rd, 2009-CXR-good
May 27, 2010-CT scan-good-moved to once/year CT scan & visit!

4 1/2 years from surgery-so happy to be here!!!

Congratulations, Bette! That's really great news! I remember that when I saw my surgeon at my two year mark, which was the day he moved me to the once a year schedule, he said that with the cancer I had, if it comes back at all, it usually reappears within 2 years. That made me feel really comfortable with the once a year visits. Not that I don't visit Panic City every year!

Congrats again and keep dancing!
Cindy

_________________
age 56
surgery 6/20/03, stage 1B, upper left lobectomy
started adjuvant chemo on 08/14/03
3 cycles--cisplatin/gemzar
finished chemo 11/6/03
now 9 years post-lobectomy, annual x-ray and follow-up with surgeon
follow-up with oncologist every year/bloodwork and clinical exam

2001 early stage breast cancer/surgery and radiation only, no chemo needed. Mammograms once a year,

Just passed 11 year mark for the breast cancer and 9 year mark for the lung