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I am 1 year and 9 months post surgery. I had my right upper lung removed at stage 1A, with no other treatment.
I have only had chest x-rays since my surgery, which have all been clear. I have had no CT scans. Should I be concerned?
i am from the u k i had a lobectomy in 2007 no other treatment i also just have a x ray every 6 months so far all have been clear the radioligist compares each x ray last time my x ray showed slight widening by my windpipe thought it was the way i was standing when i was x rayed but sent me for a scan to make sure it was nothing els scan was clear idid feel happier that i had the scan i just put my faith in the consultants
I remember a doctor telling me years ago that if LC showed up on a regular chest x-ray that it was probably too late. Of course I don't think that is true today, but I would still insist on at least a yearly CT scan. I was dx in 1998 with early stage, had surgery, no other treatment, and follow-ups of chest x-rays - after the first 3 years the chest x-rays stopped. In 2008 I was dx again, but at a much later stage. While CTs would not have changed the fact that I have a new cancer, I believe that they would have found this second cancer earlier. If I could go back to 1998 I would have insisted on the CTs each year. I know that too many scans can also increase your risks because of the radiation, but I still think if someone is at risk for another cancer it is the best way to go until they come up with a better screening process.
I will be having my official first scans (had a CT scan about mid to late June for chest pains) since my ULL in April later this month. I was concerned that I am having a CT scan and not a PET scan. Very happy I am not just having a x-ray. I would have to demand at least a CT scan.
Blessings,
Barb
You should be having CT scans every six months for the first 2 years!!!My nodule did not even show up on xray.
I absolutely agree! You should be having at the very minimum, a CT scan every 6 months. I suggest you speak to your Oncologist, or Surgeon, or Primary Care Doctor.
Good Luck and God Bless,
Marylou
I have had one CT at about a year and the rest have been x-rays. My pulmonologist is superb with many years of experience. I believe he would go ahead with a Ct if there was
the slightest abnormality on the x-ray. I also believe that if you are not taking radiation or chemo- the need for CT is not as urgent.
It will be 2.5 years for me on the 24th on this month.
My original dx was due to a chest xray where one spot was found, when I went for my first CT scan, three spots were found, two turned out to be benign I think a CT scan is the best way to go from now on for me...
X-rays do not image lesions smaller than 8mm, which are the most survivable. Not using CT, for the first few years, at least, is a cost-cutting measure. Get CT-scanned.
Good luck!
All of my chest x-rays were clear and continue to be clear. I had a primary in my LLL early 2007, another primary in my URL in late 2007 and recurrance in both lungs in early 2009. I strongly believe in getting a chest CT every 3-4 months for the first few years.
Pat
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