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Brain MRI – How often?
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Brain MRI – How often?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Brain MRI – How often?

  • Post
    • March 2, 2017 at 8:27 pm
    youngann
    Participant

      I was diagnosed stage 3 in May 2016 and had a brain MRI before my CLND. When I went to see my onc last week, I asked if I should have a repeat MRI and she said that she doesn't recommend them unless a patient is showing symptoms.

      After thinking about it, I wondered if it wouldn't be better to have them regularly before there are any symptoms…what are your thoughts on this? Are brain MRIs normally recommended on a regular basis for stage 3, or is it normal to wait until symptoms appear?

      I have been having regular chest, abdomen & pelvis CT scans.

      Thanks,

      Ann

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    • Replies
        • March 2, 2017 at 9:28 pm
        Scooby123
        Participant
          Hi Ann,
          I am stage 4 but when i had tumours in my liver , lungs they checked scans every 3 months plus brain MRI 3 months even thou at that time did not have any brain tumours. Year on they caught a 4mm one in brain. So if i was not having checks every 3 months i would have had symptoms before finding it.
          Not sure on how scans are with stage 3 but i went from stage 2 to 4 and only did scans cus i was having pains. Things can change so quick.
          Scooby
          • March 2, 2017 at 10:37 pm
          jennunicorn
          Participant

            I don't get regular brain MRIs, my oncologist also says she doesn't typically do them super regularly unless there is something seen on my regular PET/CT scans that I do every 3 months. But, my scans are full body, so if something looked strange on the CT of the brain, then I would get a brain MRI. Since you are not getting full body scans, I would ask why you are not getting full body scans and if they won't do at least full body CTs for you, then you should get an annual brain MRI. Easier to take care of something caught early that is small and minimal rather than wait until you have physical symptoms. It's never a given, many people never get brain mets, but we all know this mel crap isn't something to mess around with.

              • March 2, 2017 at 11:11 pm
              youngann
              Participant

                Thanks Jenn. Full body scans sound like a good idea, I'm going to request that when I'm due again in May.

                Ann

                • March 3, 2017 at 3:23 pm
                BarbaraF
                Participant

                  My husband has only one kidney from previous bladder cancer and avoids contrast scans. But, newly diagnosed with Stage IIIC or Stage 4, he got a brain scan with contrast. What is the relative value of detecting new brain mets versus exposing him to those kinds of scans?

                   

                   

                • March 2, 2017 at 10:44 pm
                Jahendry12
                Participant

                  My husband has MRI's of the head every 6 months and CT's every 3. He is stage IV.

                    • March 3, 2017 at 3:44 am
                    Mark_DC
                    Participant

                      Am stage 3 and seems i do ct every 3 months of parts of leg, chest, abdomen (?) then brain mri every 6 months, just like jahendry

                      no pet scans (well not regularly), and i dont know what a full body scan is (would like to know! But dont think they will give me)

                      so yes, i think some brain mri could be a good idea

                      good luck, mark

                    • March 3, 2017 at 2:36 pm
                    jenny22
                    Participant

                      Hi- Stage IIIB, currently NED….have CT scans of neck, chest, ab, pelvic and head every 6 month….Brain MRI once a year (alternating  with HEAD CT)

                      Have never had another PET scan  since initial diagnosis….treated at Sloan and NYU…..

                      Am told we will stay on 6 month scan schedule for a while…not sure if 2 or 3 years.

                       

                       

                      • March 3, 2017 at 3:31 pm
                      Bubbles
                      Participant

                        Just put up this post addressing when to scan Stage III mlanoma patients that may interest you peeps:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2017/03/study-in-support-of-petct-surveillance.html

                        Wishing you all my best.  celeste

                        • March 3, 2017 at 6:28 pm
                        mjanssentx
                        Participant

                          Ann – Stage 3A with no progression for just over 2+ years.

                          Quarterly PET scans (full body) and MRI for brain every year.  Since I made it to 2 years my PET scans will move to 6 months staying with the annual MRI.  

                          I think at 5 years they move to annual.

                          Best wishes.

                          Michel

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