Forum Discussion

c_yeo's avatar
c_yeo
Member
12 years ago

Follow ups

Recently I have been thinking more about the follow ups with the doctors after the surgery, chemo and radiation. Just not sure how this works.

I had my surgery and doing my chemo at the same hospital but will be doing radiation at another because it is much nearer.

I tried to have the follow up discussion with my medical onco and will try again after my chemo. Both surgeon and medical onco said follow up will be every 6 months between them with no scans for the followups. I am not sure about the no scans as I dont know how it will be known if the chemo or radiation worked. When first diagnosed, the tumours were under stated at mammogram, ultrasound and biospy. Even the GP could not feel anything in the nodes even though there were. The onco said the lobular kind was the sneaky kind. I was wondering if how the followups can help to  detect any future growth with no scans.

Then I am not sure how the multidisciplinary team across hospitals works. Anybody has similar experience? Just thought I get some idea before I discuss with medical onco again.

3 Replies

  • Robyn_W's avatar
    Robyn_W
    Member
    12 years ago
    Ultrasound on mastectomy side( I think this is important because I'm sure it can still come back on that side,even with a mastectomy) and mammogram and ultrasound on other side. xoxRobyn
  • jenpen's avatar
    jenpen
    Member
    12 years ago

    I had my first 6 month checkup 2 weeks ago......mastectomy last Oct & finished chemo in Jan. I was expecting scans but just had breast Dr do manual check & said there was no need for mammo or ultrasound until 12 months after my last one.

    I got him to again show me the scans from last I had done before my op on his computer to reassure me all was well on my existing boob......and he said ultrasound would be done on mastectomy side, mammo & ultrasound on my good boob in 6 months time.

    As Robyn said, I guess we just have to keep a check on ourselves, but also know they are the experts and would do further tests etc if it were needed. 

    I had my surgery & chemo in different locations as I live in the country....I see oncologist every 3 months but probably for checks on Tamoxifen too.

    Best of luck...Jenny

     

  • c_yeo's avatar
    c_yeo
    Member
    12 years ago

    Thanks Robyn. Is the mammogram and ultrasound done on the masectomy side or the unaffected side?

    Since I have bilateral mastectomy,  my surgeon had said no mammogram or ultrasound for followups.