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Frequency of scans when stable?
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Frequency of scans when stable?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Frequency of scans when stable?

  • Post
    • July 28, 2013 at 12:32 pm
    ad2424
    Participant

      After learning of Stage 4 via VAT lung surgery in the summer of 2011 (initial diagnosis 15 years earlier), and having numerous lung nodules all under 1 cm, I did IL-2 in December of 2011 and March 2012.

      All nodules have been stable since January 2012.  

      I have have scans quarterly since. Sometimes just chest, other times chest, abdomin and pelvis, less frequently brain.

      For those in a similar situation, what is the frequency of your scans. I seem to have no particular protocol.

      Thanks.

      After learning of Stage 4 via VAT lung surgery in the summer of 2011 (initial diagnosis 15 years earlier), and having numerous lung nodules all under 1 cm, I did IL-2 in December of 2011 and March 2012.

      All nodules have been stable since January 2012.  

      I have have scans quarterly since. Sometimes just chest, other times chest, abdomin and pelvis, less frequently brain.

      For those in a similar situation, what is the frequency of your scans. I seem to have no particular protocol.

      Thanks.

    Viewing 14 reply threads
    • Replies
        • July 28, 2013 at 5:20 pm
        Randy437
        Participant

          I have been stage iV for almost six years with mets to brain, each lung and small intestine.  My last recurrance was 3 1/2 years ago.  I get a brain MRI every six months and a body CT every four months. CTs were every three months  but I told my onc I was concerned about cumulative radiation and he agreed to make it every four months.  Probably a distinction without meaning.

          • July 28, 2013 at 5:20 pm
          Randy437
          Participant

            I have been stage iV for almost six years with mets to brain, each lung and small intestine.  My last recurrance was 3 1/2 years ago.  I get a brain MRI every six months and a body CT every four months. CTs were every three months  but I told my onc I was concerned about cumulative radiation and he agreed to make it every four months.  Probably a distinction without meaning.

            • July 28, 2013 at 5:20 pm
            Randy437
            Participant

              I have been stage iV for almost six years with mets to brain, each lung and small intestine.  My last recurrance was 3 1/2 years ago.  I get a brain MRI every six months and a body CT every four months. CTs were every three months  but I told my onc I was concerned about cumulative radiation and he agreed to make it every four months.  Probably a distinction without meaning.

              • July 28, 2013 at 6:11 pm
              Linny
              Participant

                I think it may differ with each doctor and whether you're in a trial. Even though you're NED, you're still considered high risk, hence the frequency of the scans. Eventually the frequency should become less. Charlie_S is a long term Stage IV survivor and probably will be able to give more insight into this.

                I'm Stage III and in a trial. The first year I was scanned quarterly. The second year, every 6 months and I'm on the "6 month plan" until my trial ends in 2016. After that, I'm not sure. Maybe yearly scans?

                • July 28, 2013 at 6:11 pm
                Linny
                Participant

                  I think it may differ with each doctor and whether you're in a trial. Even though you're NED, you're still considered high risk, hence the frequency of the scans. Eventually the frequency should become less. Charlie_S is a long term Stage IV survivor and probably will be able to give more insight into this.

                  I'm Stage III and in a trial. The first year I was scanned quarterly. The second year, every 6 months and I'm on the "6 month plan" until my trial ends in 2016. After that, I'm not sure. Maybe yearly scans?

                  • July 28, 2013 at 6:11 pm
                  Linny
                  Participant

                    I think it may differ with each doctor and whether you're in a trial. Even though you're NED, you're still considered high risk, hence the frequency of the scans. Eventually the frequency should become less. Charlie_S is a long term Stage IV survivor and probably will be able to give more insight into this.

                    I'm Stage III and in a trial. The first year I was scanned quarterly. The second year, every 6 months and I'm on the "6 month plan" until my trial ends in 2016. After that, I'm not sure. Maybe yearly scans?

                    • July 28, 2013 at 7:20 pm
                    ad2424
                    Participant

                      Thanks for your reply. I wish I was NED. I'm stable for about a year and a half with multiple nodules on both lungs.

                      • July 29, 2013 at 12:56 am
                      vivian
                      Participant

                        My two lung nodules were first seen in November 2011.  From March 2012, when I had an intransit axillary sub-q removed until November 2012, I had scans quarterly.  For most of that year, the nodules were "stable".  When one began to grow, it was removed by VATS.  Since then (11/12) I have been considered stage 4, NED, as the other nodule is no longer evident.  According to Dr. Wolchok, whom I trust implicitly, every three months is the right schedule for me.  Once I reach a year NED, then we go to every six months for scans.  I have had no other treatment except surgery since my stage 3a diagnosis in November 2010.

                        Stable for a year and a half seems great – keep it up!

                        Lear

                        • July 29, 2013 at 4:52 am
                        JerryfromFauq
                        Participant

                          Depending on treatments and changes My CT scans have varied from monthly, to every three months and for the last three years every six months unless I have a complaint or the Oncologist feels lumps he wants to check out.

                          • July 29, 2013 at 4:52 am
                          JerryfromFauq
                          Participant

                            Depending on treatments and changes My CT scans have varied from monthly, to every three months and for the last three years every six months unless I have a complaint or the Oncologist feels lumps he wants to check out.

                            • July 29, 2013 at 4:52 am
                            JerryfromFauq
                            Participant

                              Depending on treatments and changes My CT scans have varied from monthly, to every three months and for the last three years every six months unless I have a complaint or the Oncologist feels lumps he wants to check out.

                              • July 29, 2013 at 3:32 pm
                              JC
                              Participant

                                What are the facts with regard to scan radiation exposure and risk?

                                • July 29, 2013 at 3:32 pm
                                JC
                                Participant

                                  What are the facts with regard to scan radiation exposure and risk?

                                  • July 29, 2013 at 3:32 pm
                                  JC
                                  Participant

                                    What are the facts with regard to scan radiation exposure and risk?

                                    • July 29, 2013 at 4:18 pm
                                    DEK
                                    Participant

                                      DEK here UK

                                      Never gave it a thought

                                      I have been scanned every 3 months since reaching stage 4.

                                      Didn't know I was at this stage till Nov 2012

                                      Since the ipilimumab treatment they have tried to scan after a month

                                      But unfortunately due to the chronic diarrhea from the treatment it took 6 weeks before I could have scan

                                      But for me I would say every 3 months

                                      Don't they need that kind of gap to see any changes

                                      • July 28, 2013 at 7:20 pm
                                      ad2424
                                      Participant

                                        Thanks for your reply. I wish I was NED. I'm stable for about a year and a half with multiple nodules on both lungs.

                                        • July 28, 2013 at 7:20 pm
                                        ad2424
                                        Participant

                                          Thanks for your reply. I wish I was NED. I'm stable for about a year and a half with multiple nodules on both lungs.

                                          • July 29, 2013 at 12:56 am
                                          vivian
                                          Participant

                                            My two lung nodules were first seen in November 2011.  From March 2012, when I had an intransit axillary sub-q removed until November 2012, I had scans quarterly.  For most of that year, the nodules were "stable".  When one began to grow, it was removed by VATS.  Since then (11/12) I have been considered stage 4, NED, as the other nodule is no longer evident.  According to Dr. Wolchok, whom I trust implicitly, every three months is the right schedule for me.  Once I reach a year NED, then we go to every six months for scans.  I have had no other treatment except surgery since my stage 3a diagnosis in November 2010.

                                            Stable for a year and a half seems great – keep it up!

                                            Lear

                                            • July 29, 2013 at 12:56 am
                                            vivian
                                            Participant

                                              My two lung nodules were first seen in November 2011.  From March 2012, when I had an intransit axillary sub-q removed until November 2012, I had scans quarterly.  For most of that year, the nodules were "stable".  When one began to grow, it was removed by VATS.  Since then (11/12) I have been considered stage 4, NED, as the other nodule is no longer evident.  According to Dr. Wolchok, whom I trust implicitly, every three months is the right schedule for me.  Once I reach a year NED, then we go to every six months for scans.  I have had no other treatment except surgery since my stage 3a diagnosis in November 2010.

                                              Stable for a year and a half seems great – keep it up!

                                              Lear

                                              • July 29, 2013 at 4:18 pm
                                              DEK
                                              Participant

                                                DEK here UK

                                                Never gave it a thought

                                                I have been scanned every 3 months since reaching stage 4.

                                                Didn't know I was at this stage till Nov 2012

                                                Since the ipilimumab treatment they have tried to scan after a month

                                                But unfortunately due to the chronic diarrhea from the treatment it took 6 weeks before I could have scan

                                                But for me I would say every 3 months

                                                Don't they need that kind of gap to see any changes

                                                • July 29, 2013 at 4:18 pm
                                                DEK
                                                Participant

                                                  DEK here UK

                                                  Never gave it a thought

                                                  I have been scanned every 3 months since reaching stage 4.

                                                  Didn't know I was at this stage till Nov 2012

                                                  Since the ipilimumab treatment they have tried to scan after a month

                                                  But unfortunately due to the chronic diarrhea from the treatment it took 6 weeks before I could have scan

                                                  But for me I would say every 3 months

                                                  Don't they need that kind of gap to see any changes

                                              Viewing 14 reply threads
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