HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Follow-up diagnostic tests for potential mets???

Joanne S · 11-26-2007, 10:20 PM

Just as my gut told me, I will make a point of getting regular follow-up diagnostic studies. Thanks everyone --- I appreciate you sharing your experience and knowledge.

I plan to have my brain MRI and CT scan of chest, abdomen and pelvis in January. My oncologist, Dr. D, is planning to switch to another office location, In turn, it'll be the perfect time to switch to another oncologist in the office, Dr. B, who also specializes in BC. After inquiry to some patients I've met during chemo in the same facility, I learned that Dr. B believes in checking tumor markers and follow-up scans. I will try to set up an appointment with her in January to go over my CTscan and MRI results and to ask her to check my tumor markers so I'll have something that can represent my baseline---I've not had any tumor markers checked previously.

11-26-2007, 10:20 PM	#20
Joanne S Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Detroit Metropolitan Area, Michigan Posts: 592	Just as my gut told me, I will make a point of getting regular follow-up diagnostic studies. Thanks everyone --- I appreciate you sharing your experience and knowledge. I plan to have my brain MRI and CT scan of chest, abdomen and pelvis in January. My oncologist, Dr. D, is planning to switch to another office location, In turn, it'll be the perfect time to switch to another oncologist in the office, Dr. B, who also specializes in BC. After inquiry to some patients I've met during chemo in the same facility, I learned that Dr. B believes in checking tumor markers and follow-up scans. I will try to set up an appointment with her in January to go over my CTscan and MRI results and to ask her to check my tumor markers so I'll have something that can represent my baseline---I've not had any tumor markers checked previously. __________________ Aug06...Dx Age 50, IDC Left Breast, 6+/16 lymph nodes, Stg 3, ER+/PR+/HER2+ Sep06-Jan07...Mediport. Chemo: AC x 4, T x 4 Dec06-Nov07...Herceptin Feb12,2007...Surg MRM Left & SM Right, reconstruct w/expanders Mar07-Jun07...Saline Exp Jun07...Start Tamoxifen Jun07-Aug07...Rad x 25 Jun07-Oct07...Persistent fevers-unknown origin Jun07-Nov07...PT for Severe PMPS & Capsular Contracture Nov07...Surg Capsulectomy, Gel Implants, PMPS pain gone instantly. Feb08...NED 1st CANCERVERSARY!!!!! Feb08...2 months post surgery Caps Cont again :( Mar08...Stop Tamoxifen. Start Arimidex. Apr08...Sudden high fever, Hosp ICU 10 days, staph infect, emerg surg, implants removed. Outpt IVantibiotics Daily x 6 weeks Feb11...NED 5th CANCERVERSARY!!!!! Feb12...NED 6th CANCERVERSARY!!!!! Aug12...Spotting. Surg=D&C Sep12...STAGE IV = RARE BC METS TO UTERUS ILC ER+/PR+/HER2-Negative) (Different BC than originally diagnosed = IDC ER+/PR+/HER2+). Sep12...Stop Arimidex. Start Afinitor & Aromasin. Jan13...MRI = no progression no reduction Apr13...Progression. Stop Afinitor & Aromasin. Apr13...Start Chemo: Taxol & Carboplatin. Nov13...Scans & Pelvic 95+% Reduction. Nueropathy>Stop chemo start Fareston. Jan14...PET scan = no progression stable. May14...Pelvic > Bleeding & cramps. TMs up. May14...PET scan = uterine progression :( May14...Stop Fareston. Start Chemo: Xeloda.