|
I was initially diagnosed Stage IIIc and after completion of treatment my follow up was to see the surgeon every 3 months (still do), oncologist every 3 months (now every 2), HER2 serum test every 12 weeks, brain MRI once a year (now every 3 months), and CT scan if symptoms. I'm now Stage IV and I have CT scan done every 3 months.
Oncologists differ greatly in follow up care. Some do tumor marker tests - some don't. Some will do rountine scans every 3-4 months or every 6 months - some will not unless there are symptoms.
I don't think there are any two oncologists who have the same follow up for breast cancer patients. A lot depends on your stage, hormone status, and of course node status. Most oncologists will do routine blood work, maybe a chest Xray, and a general exam and that's about it.
__________________
Kate
Stage IIIC Diagnosed Oct 25, 2005 (age 58)
ER/PR-, HER2+++, grade 3, Ploidy/DNA index: Aneuploid/1.61, S-phase: 24.2%
Neoadjunct chemo: 4 A/C; 4 Taxatore
Bilateral mastectomy June 8, 2006
14 of 26 nodes positive
Herceptin June 22, 2006 - April 20, 2007
Radiation (X35) July 24-September 11, 2006
BRCA1/BRCA2 negative
Stage IV lung mets July 13, 2007 - TCH
Single brain met - August 6, 2007 -CyberKnife
Oct 2007 - clear brain MRI and lung mets shrinking.
March 2008 lung met progression, brain still clear - begin Tykerb/Xeloda/Ixempra
|