[Debbie L.]

Is it really true that having a local recurrence or being Stage IV makes no difference as far as the outcome? I'm just asking because if that is the case having all these scans and brain MRI's really is a waste of time.

Dakini52, I don't think this is true (same outcome), and am not sure what you saw that made it sound like it was. Watching the brain is probably ('don't think we have good evidence, just using logic) not a waste of time, as if there were to be a recurrence there, treatment is less toxic if it is found while there are fewer and smaller lesions, for example. The body scans (whether to do them and their frequency) are a matter of personal choice. Some are comforted by the idea of jumping on anything that shows up as soon as possible, while others prefer to avoid scans unless there are symptoms. There are several reasons for choosing the second approach, including that outcomes seems to be similar (whether a recurrence is detected by scans before symptoms or with scans done FOR symptoms), that waiting for symptoms gives longer periods for enjoying life without anxiety, and that it doesn't use up the tools (treatments) in the toolbox as quickly. Like many of the decisions we have to make, this one seems to be an individual one -- probably no single "right" answer. Does this make sense?

Debbie