How do we know if chemo has worked

16 years 9 months ago #5709 by wendy
Replied by wendy on topic How do we know if chemo has worked

Hey Dan,

It's standard follow up procedure to use CT to monitor people post op, not MRI or PET, although the combo of CT-PET is becoming popular in Europe. The rationale is that CT is good at showing what needs to be seen, but if there is any doubts are questions, the bigger/better tests are then used. MRI is not necessarily better by definition and PET is not too useful at detecting bladder tumors because the dye collects in the bladder, but it is very good at finding nodal or distant involvement. Could be that your doctor doesn't feel it's necessary because he got a good scan from the CT.

All the best,
Wendy

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16 years 9 months ago #5706 by Zachary
Replied by Zachary on topic How do we know if chemo has worked

Same here; except my chemo was after surgery.

I was tempted to bail on the follow-up CT and exams after chemo, though.

Why?

Because there's nothing for them to see! It's all gone! ;D

"Standing on my Head"---my chemo journal
T3a Grade 4 N+M0
RC at USC/Norris June 23, 2006 by Dr. John Stein

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16 years 9 months ago #5705 by Mike
Replied by Mike on topic How do we know if chemo has worked
After my chemo I got a CT Scan of abdomen, pelvis, and chest and that is pretty much standard to see if the chemo has done it's job. I got great results from mine thank God so even though the chemo sucked it was well worth it. Joe

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16 years 9 months ago #5699 by Patricia
Replied by Patricia on topic How do we know if chemo has worked
dan .. disregard my reply to this one...i found your other post giving me the answers i needed. I'll try to move this post to another section so you will get more replies.......Pat

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16 years 9 months ago #5697 by Patricia
Replied by Patricia on topic How do we know if chemo has worked
dan.....perhaps your facility does not have a PET scan? Ideally the combination CT/PET is a good one but not everyone has it. Also you should have periodic cystos to make sure there's not some angry tissue in there. Were you given any other alternatives ? T2 would be an agressive tumor..was it into the muscle ? Any second opinions?
I'll hope Tim or Wendy weigh in on this........Pat

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16 years 9 months ago #5696 by danpeters
How do we know if chemo has worked was created by danpeters
My oncologists are telling me that after chemo I'll receive periodic CT scans to check for any reoccurence. I was surprised that they would rely solely an CT scans versus PET scans and other types of scans and/or lab work. I am being treated for N2T2 bladder cancer. I'd like to know of other bladder cancer patients experiences with post chemo follow up.

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