For those with Lumpectomy - How Often do You see your Radiologist

Becky · 03-19-2007, 06:03 PM

For those of you who had rads because of a lumpectomy (as the "rules" for rads with masectomy may be different) - how often and for how long did you see your radiology oncologist. I see mine every 6 months but I don't know how long. Does it go to once a year like you do for the surgeon and when does that happen (at 2 yrs post surgery the surgeon said that I was on once a year from every 6 months). I am just wondering because my radiologist heads up a new office that is far from my home but still comes to the cancer center one day a month to do his follow ups. However, its tricky getting appointments with him (on time) because of this schedule (and that I never know in advance what day it will be). So, I was thinking of changing to another radiologist who is in the practice but is at the cancer center. However, if I am only going to see him one or two times more, I will put up with it. But if I have to see him every 6 months until I am 5 years from rads and once a year after that, it will be easier to see someone who is at the cancer center a couple of days every week.

The rads receptionist is not with it and can't answer the question. I've missed the "April" visit because they apologized that they forgot to call me. I don't want a May visit because I see my PCP, oncologist and gynecologist all in May (and let's face it, how many breast exams does a girl really need in one month - so I'd like to space it out and stay on track with an April appt with the rads man - my guy or a partner). Likewise, I'd rather stay with my original if there are only one or two more visits.

Thanks

Cosmo · 03-19-2007, 06:07 PM

Becky,

I only saw my radiation oncologist at a 6 month follow-up appointment. She didn't seem to think she needed to see me again after that. I'm interested to see how others reply.

Regards,

Karen

Mary Jo · 03-19-2007, 06:10 PM

Hi Becky,

I had mastectomy but also had 28 rads. My radiation oncologist says he will see me until the 5 year mark. I finished rads Feb. 06 - and have seen him 3 times since. I will see him in June and then (I think) only once a year till I reach the 5 year mark.

Mary Jo

RhondaH · 03-19-2007, 06:16 PM

I see mine right after my mammo in August and she has made no mention of my ever stopping. I just go with the flow.

Rhonda

janet11 · 03-20-2007, 01:14 PM

My rad onc says to come in 1 month post rads and that's it (probably because I didn't have any rad-induced problems). Actually, I probably won't even make that appointment. I didn't like him much (felt he didn't care one way or another) and I DO see my med onc regularly. I also told her I didn't plan to make the follow up rads appointment and she didn't give me any specific reason to go (other than asking me why) (*grin*).

I just learned that I should schedule a radiation-side mammogram 6 weeks after completion of radiation treatment, and then sched an appointment with my surgeon. Apparently this is my new 'baseline' mammo.

Janet

Susan McQ · 04-09-2007, 06:04 PM

I saw the Rad onc 1 month post radiation and that was it. He released me from his care. I see my breast surgeon every 3 months and once I am finished with herceptin, I will see my Med onc every three months.

Janet, my surgeon wouldn't allow me to have a mammogram at my Feb visit, said I still had swelling from radiation. I finished rads the end of Oct '06. He said the compression from the plates would cause more swelling and be painful. He scheduled an MRI instead.

Susan

Montana · 03-19-2007, 06:08 PM

I had a 6 month follow-up visit and then that was it. Why do you need to see the radiologist so long after radiation is over?

AlaskaAngel · 03-19-2007, 06:36 PM

Becky, I originally didn't have a follow up because I live in Alaska and had my rads done in California for my lumpectomy -- but otherwise I would have been scheduled for a 6 mo follow up only.

I eventually did go back after my surgeon identified rads necrosis. When I went back to the rads onc after seeing the surgeon, she had no idea what the lumpy hard tissue was that I had. I think in general rads docs don't see patients often enough when they are a year or more out from rads, so they probably aren't familiar with the real results that far out from treatment.
A.A.

Andi · 03-19-2007, 07:00 PM

I had my lumpectomy at Mayo Clinic Rochester, but did my rads at Mayo Scottsdale when we were staying there last winter. I had a follow up with my oncologist just before we went back north last year and that was the only time. I never had a follow up with my surgeon, either, all of my exams have been with my oncologist.

Karen Weixel · 03-19-2007, 07:05 PM

I saw mine every three months for a year and then, every six months for another year and now, I have graduated to once a year for the next three years. I see my surgeon every six months until the five year mark and my onc every three months until the five year mark. My surgeon and onc said after that it will once a year for life.

Karen

Mary Jo · 03-19-2007, 07:06 PM

I suppose I'm getting a little off topic but had to reply. Just wanted to say that I don't have scheduled appointments with my surgeon either. She does like to follow up but she leaves the choice as to who you want to see with me. As long as I see my onc. regularly she doesn't mind if I skip her. She says there is no need to see my onc. every 4 months and her as well. Even though I like my surgeon very much I don't want to do double duty with the docs so skip her usually.

That's all

Mary Jo

03-19-2007, 07:15 PM

I finished radiation at the end of December and my radiologist suggested I check in with her in April (four months). I completely forgot to make an appointment until I read your post. Thanks for the reminder.

cmljungren · 03-20-2007, 07:59 AM

I see my rad onc evey 6 months. This if offset with my surgeon who sees me every 6 as well. So I'm seeing one of them every 3 months. I just hit my 2 yr mark though, so this schedule may change. I see my med onc every 4 months.

Interesting to read how varied follow up appts are for all of us.

saleboat · 03-20-2007, 08:24 AM

I haven't seen my Rad Onc since my 6-mos check-up. Given that I see the Med Onc every four months, and the surgeon every 6 months, I feel well covered. Unless the Rad Onc contacts me, I probably won't initiate a visit.

Jen

dng · 03-20-2007, 01:29 PM

My wife finishes rads tomorrow and we asked this question today. My wife will see the rad onc in about 5-6 weeks and as long as she is being followed by her med onc and surgeon there is no need for any other follow up by the rad onc.

tricia keegan · 03-20-2007, 04:26 PM

Becky I only saw my rad onc once about five weeks after finishing.

I'm part of a breastcare "team" so was told I only have to follow up with the surgeon and chemo onc but could call if I had a specific problem or concern about my rad treatment. Hope this helps.

Bev · 03-20-2007, 09:24 PM

I've been on the 6 month plan with both rad onc and sugeon, alternating visits. Now 1x every month w/ regular onc as well.

I suspect I may be going on 1x/ year at 2 year anniversary.

Early on, I think I had 4 breast exams in 2 weeks. Onc, Rad Onc, Surgeon and Gyn. Made me laugh. At least I don't feel like they're ignoring or forgetting about me.

BB

eileen · 03-21-2007, 11:09 AM

I saw my radiologist only once after a 6 month follow up. I had a lumpectomy in 2004 & see my oncologist every 4 months & my breast surgeon every 4 months (I insisted upon this because I am a very high risk). Unless you haven't healed well from the radiation I'm not sure what purpose it would serve to continue seeing the radiologist.

Becky · 03-21-2007, 04:54 PM

Boy, there is sure a lot of variation in this regard. I think medical oncologist's schedules with all of us is probably pretty similar but radiology oncology is all over the place.

I am going to find out the schedule for them when I go - I figure if someone wants to check me to see if I'm ok, that's fine with me. I just wish I could spread them out enough to get a professional breast exam spaced out more than getting 4 within 6 weeks of each other.

Thanks to all of you

juanita · 03-21-2007, 05:15 PM

I am now 2 1/2 years out. I have my mammo in August. I see my onc every three months still, June will be a year off herceptin. I saw my radiologist and surgeon in February. I'd been going every 6 months but now can wait a year. My surgeon told me that as long as I'm seeing one of the other docs directly involved in my cancer treatment I can stop coming to see him. I may just go back though just to be safe.