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Opinions on scan schedule
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Opinions on scan schedule

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Opinions on scan schedule

  • Post
    • August 14, 2013 at 4:34 am
    kathycmc
    Participant

      My daughter is stage IIIb.  Her last surgery was 1/31/13 to remove lymph nodes in the right side of her neck and she has been NED since.  She did complete 3 rounds of adjuvant biochemotherapy April 10th.  She had a PET scan at the end of April that was clear and a CT scan in July that was also clear.  Her oncologist (melanoma specialist) originally said she would alternate PET with CT scans every 3 months for 2 years but on her last appointment said she was changing the schedule to CT scan only every 6 months.

      My daughter is stage IIIb.  Her last surgery was 1/31/13 to remove lymph nodes in the right side of her neck and she has been NED since.  She did complete 3 rounds of adjuvant biochemotherapy April 10th.  She had a PET scan at the end of April that was clear and a CT scan in July that was also clear.  Her oncologist (melanoma specialist) originally said she would alternate PET with CT scans every 3 months for 2 years but on her last appointment said she was changing the schedule to CT scan only every 6 months.  My daughter is 25 and this may have something to do with trying to decrease the amount of radiation over her lifetime.  I am hopeful this is good news but I wonder if decreasing the frequency of the scans is recommended.  Any thoughts?

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    • Replies
        • August 14, 2013 at 11:18 am
        Linny
        Participant

          I think it's common to "graduate" from scans every 3-4 months to scans every 6 months. As to when the graduation happens seems to depend upon the doctor and whether or not you're in a trial.

          When I first started this journey, I was told by both my surgeon and my oncologist that the longer you go without a recurrence, the less the chances are of the melanoma returning. After a year, I went from scans every 3 months to scans every 6 months.

          So in answer to your question, graduating from 3 month scans to 6 month scans is good!

          • August 14, 2013 at 11:18 am
          Linny
          Participant

            I think it's common to "graduate" from scans every 3-4 months to scans every 6 months. As to when the graduation happens seems to depend upon the doctor and whether or not you're in a trial.

            When I first started this journey, I was told by both my surgeon and my oncologist that the longer you go without a recurrence, the less the chances are of the melanoma returning. After a year, I went from scans every 3 months to scans every 6 months.

            So in answer to your question, graduating from 3 month scans to 6 month scans is good!

            • August 14, 2013 at 11:18 am
            Linny
            Participant

              I think it's common to "graduate" from scans every 3-4 months to scans every 6 months. As to when the graduation happens seems to depend upon the doctor and whether or not you're in a trial.

              When I first started this journey, I was told by both my surgeon and my oncologist that the longer you go without a recurrence, the less the chances are of the melanoma returning. After a year, I went from scans every 3 months to scans every 6 months.

              So in answer to your question, graduating from 3 month scans to 6 month scans is good!

              • August 14, 2013 at 4:14 pm
              Becky
              Participant

                My son, also 25, was on a 6th month schedule from the beginning. He is 3A, oral MM with a year of interferon. His last scans were in July which is 4 years from dx.

                He has a new oncologist (not a melanoma speciaslit) who told him it can be yearly from now on. This makes me nervous, but I also agree that at a younger age, there are risks of too many scans. He hates getting the scans and I am always a wreck with scanxiety, so I am trying to lok at yearly as a good thing!

                • August 15, 2013 at 1:02 am
                kathycmc
                Participant

                  Thank you both for your input.  I am relieved to know it is a common practice.  I totally get "scanxiety" too and so does she so not having to go through the wait for results as often should be a good thing.  She is only 7 months NED but her doctors are very encouraging.

                  • August 15, 2013 at 4:13 am
                  JerryfromFauq
                  Participant

                    Come on Gal, {Becky} relax a little more! (Hee Heee)

                    • August 14, 2013 at 4:14 pm
                    Becky
                    Participant

                      My son, also 25, was on a 6th month schedule from the beginning. He is 3A, oral MM with a year of interferon. His last scans were in July which is 4 years from dx.

                      He has a new oncologist (not a melanoma speciaslit) who told him it can be yearly from now on. This makes me nervous, but I also agree that at a younger age, there are risks of too many scans. He hates getting the scans and I am always a wreck with scanxiety, so I am trying to lok at yearly as a good thing!

                      • August 14, 2013 at 4:14 pm
                      Becky
                      Participant

                        My son, also 25, was on a 6th month schedule from the beginning. He is 3A, oral MM with a year of interferon. His last scans were in July which is 4 years from dx.

                        He has a new oncologist (not a melanoma speciaslit) who told him it can be yearly from now on. This makes me nervous, but I also agree that at a younger age, there are risks of too many scans. He hates getting the scans and I am always a wreck with scanxiety, so I am trying to lok at yearly as a good thing!

                        • August 15, 2013 at 1:02 am
                        kathycmc
                        Participant

                          Thank you both for your input.  I am relieved to know it is a common practice.  I totally get "scanxiety" too and so does she so not having to go through the wait for results as often should be a good thing.  She is only 7 months NED but her doctors are very encouraging.

                          • August 15, 2013 at 1:02 am
                          kathycmc
                          Participant

                            Thank you both for your input.  I am relieved to know it is a common practice.  I totally get "scanxiety" too and so does she so not having to go through the wait for results as often should be a good thing.  She is only 7 months NED but her doctors are very encouraging.

                            • August 15, 2013 at 4:13 am
                            JerryfromFauq
                            Participant

                              Come on Gal, {Becky} relax a little more! (Hee Heee)

                              • August 15, 2013 at 4:13 am
                              JerryfromFauq
                              Participant

                                Come on Gal, {Becky} relax a little more! (Hee Heee)

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