After chemotherapy and radiation (or other treatments) what tests (if any) do doctor's use to see if the cancer is actually gone or has responded to the treatment? In this case, the lump was removed prior to treatment, and when asked this question, he said "none"
Cancer - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
the test would depend on where the cancer was....there will be follow up care in the months/years following treatment, the Dr will tell what kind of check ups will be required in the future...whether it be with him or your primary care Dr
2 :
There is tumor marker , depending on type of cancer , and there also radiology procedure called PIT, CT scan ,MRI , US , and the more depending on the type & location of the tumour.
3 :
Most commonly PET, PET/CT, bone scans, and MRIs. But it depends on the type of cancer. For example, if the patient had blood cancer, there likely would not be any of these body-type scans. If a doctor is not going to test to see if chemo/radiation has been successful, I'd say look for a new doctor.
4 :
Cancer needs to be a certain size before it can be detected and so there is always the possibility that the cancer is lying dormant somewhere in the body and will eventually reappear. There are no known tests for the over 200 diffferent types of cancer . . and once a cancer patient has reached the end of treatment and is hopefully in 'remission' with 'no evidence of disease' . . there is little any one can do until that cancer shows up again. In some cases a doctor will offer adjuvant chemotherapy for a year or more and do a CT every 2-3 months for around two years . .than go to CT every 6months . . and eventually . . if no signs of disease . .than the CT will be done every year. Much of this depends on how aggressive the cancer is and the stage of the disease the patient has been in . .with more vigilance being given to those who are stage III or stage IV. The doctor who responded to you follows a protocol for the type of disease, stage, and known grade of tumor . . and he is right . . there probably are no follow up scans if the cancer was removed successfully and now no evidence of the disease exists. You cannot stay in treatment forever. The only question you should ask is how aggressive the type of tumor that was removed is considered . .if it is a highly aggressive type than you need a second opinion about further treatment considerations. However, most doctors will not treat you if you have no sign or symptoms of disease. They will schedule the CT or PET scans .. but no active treatment.
5 :
It's very odd that the Dr. would just say "none". Almost every cancer patient I've encountered has follow up scans at least once a year for the first couple of years. Usually a PET sometimes a CT or MRI. A PET scan can detect even minuscule amounts of cancer. Technically my cancer is considered a "blood cancer" and we still use PET's. I received a PET during treatment to make sure I was "responsive", one PET upon completion of treatment, and then I will receive a PET scan every three months for the first year, every 6 months for up to four years after that, at which point I will be switched to yearly scans. If you or the person in question are not comfortable with the Dr's answer please be very vocal about it until you get a better answer or switch to a new Dr who will take your questions and concerns more seriously.
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