HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Scans or ways to evaluate cancer after chemo?

Becky · 01-24-2006, 08:00 PM

I am stage 2A (with one node involved) Her2 + and ER+PR-

My onco baseline scans in the beginning and scans on every one year anniversary. This includes CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis as well as a bone scan. He says he does this to all Her 2+ breast cancer patients. If I was not Her 2+, he would not scan at this stage. He normally would not do a brain MRI except for higher stage/risk Her 2+ but I have sent him many of the newer studies on this and he easily agreed to begin doing at least a once per year brain MRI on me as the information coming out (especially at SABCS) is showing the using Herceptin as an adjuvant/primary treatment is showing increased occurance of brain mets.

I do feel that catching a spread earlier is better but there are also studies disputing this. However, you can be the kind of person that doesn't show symptoms until things are really, really bad.

Ultimately, it is up to you and how much you want to insist on the testing. I believe you can get whatever you want. You just have to be prepared for normal cysts and other normal things to turn up and then be ruled normal.

(For example - I am symptomless on quite severe arthiritis in my right ankle (I even jog and walk extensively for exercise) and my right ankle lights up like a lighthouse beacon during my bone scan - the first time, they had to rule out metasized cancer with an MRI - quite a fright. But now, its just the arthiritis in my right ankle). You can have liver or lung cysts that are also benign and just part of you - no big deal - this is what your doctor is warning you about. Because when or if they are discovered, you only think the worst.

I hope this helps and if you make a decision to insist on scans, good luck going with your doctor.

Best regards

Becky

01-24-2006, 08:00 PM	#5
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	I am stage 2A (with one node involved) Her2 + and ER+PR- My onco baseline scans in the beginning and scans on every one year anniversary. This includes CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis as well as a bone scan. He says he does this to all Her 2+ breast cancer patients. If I was not Her 2+, he would not scan at this stage. He normally would not do a brain MRI except for higher stage/risk Her 2+ but I have sent him many of the newer studies on this and he easily agreed to begin doing at least a once per year brain MRI on me as the information coming out (especially at SABCS) is showing the using Herceptin as an adjuvant/primary treatment is showing increased occurance of brain mets. I do feel that catching a spread earlier is better but there are also studies disputing this. However, you can be the kind of person that doesn't show symptoms until things are really, really bad. Ultimately, it is up to you and how much you want to insist on the testing. I believe you can get whatever you want. You just have to be prepared for normal cysts and other normal things to turn up and then be ruled normal. (For example - I am symptomless on quite severe arthiritis in my right ankle (I even jog and walk extensively for exercise) and my right ankle lights up like a lighthouse beacon during my bone scan - the first time, they had to rule out metasized cancer with an MRI - quite a fright. But now, its just the arthiritis in my right ankle). You can have liver or lung cysts that are also benign and just part of you - no big deal - this is what your doctor is warning you about. Because when or if they are discovered, you only think the worst. I hope this helps and if you make a decision to insist on scans, good luck going with your doctor. Best regards Becky