CervCa: Diagnosing Recurrence

Hello all,
I just had my first three month follow up appointment to check for recurrence and my results came back all clear, but it still seems like the dr's didn't do enough to make sure. I had a ct and a pap, but it seems like there should have been something else..

I am wondering what tests and scans or anything that is normally done to test for recurrence??? What experiences at follow ups have you all had with dr's conversations and testing?

But how is it that if you have microscopic cancer cells growing inside, how are these tests going to find it? Maybe I am overworrying, and if I am, please tell me... I am just scared I guess... of them finding it later in my liver or stomach or lungs and there was more that they could have done at this stage to diagnose it early. I had 1B1 cervical cancer, had a rad. hyst that came back clear... but still, there is always the chance...


Thank you
Kristi

I did not have the same tpe of cancer as you did. However, the best reassurance I found about recurrence was to ask my gyn onc about it. After my surgery, he told me that the possibility of a recurrence was "extremely rare." Recently, he told me that my cancer was caught so early that there is a 1% chance of recurrence. Those odds make me feel pretty darn good.

One year after my surgery, my follow ups are now on an annual basis. The gyn onc manually examines my breasts, does a pap smear and a pelvic and a rectal exam at my checkup. He also asks me if I am keeping up with my mammograms and colonoscopies (I am 58 and started doing colonoscopies on the advice of my PCP when I turned 50.)

I am comfortable that, for my situation, everything is being done by the doctor that can be done. I would certainly encourage you to discuss this further with your own doctor.

For myself, I have changed my eating habits, quit a very stressful job and reenergized the practice of my faith. I meditate more often that I used to and I have learned how to say "no." Last on the list because I am not a "jock" is exercise, which I am now working on making a daily habit. I am doing all of these things in the hopes of strengthening my immune system so that the "alien" will have less chance of getting a foothold should it ever try to return.

My dad's favorite Bible verse is, "This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." I now say it every morning and I try to live it every day no matter what the day brings.

Hi Kristi, My name is Janet and I just posted a question very similar to yours. I had endomentrial/uterine cancer Stage 1A Grade 3. My surgery was 3/09, anyway I feel as you, scared and my dr. says he is not going to do a CT scan on my 3 mo check-up, so I don't know what to think, I cannot get the fear out of my head that some of those nasty cancer cells are looking for a new home! So it sounds like your results were great news, hope you can relax and enjoy each day. I like Gerry's Bible verse and I will try to remember it God Bless

I had a recurrance of cervical cancer in 2005, it was found during an examination from my doctor during a pelvic, I had a ct scan before I went to see him but it was not in his office at the time it was also on the ct scan films

the tumor was on a ligamint near my bladder which was unusual I was told, I had this removed but refused radiation, I am still here and clean and clear from anyother recurrance, I just went on April 30th and will return in 6 months

hope this helps

Hey, Kristi!!

It sounds like your doc is being pretty thorough. The only other possible diagnostic tool I can think of would be a PET scan, but that wouldn't be done this early (can't really do one during the healing process due to the nature of the test). You might run this by your doc at your next visit; I have one annually with pap/pelvic exams every six months (every three months for the first two years).

Cancerhead can really mess with you, but I promise it will get better the further out you get from your treatment. Just be vigilant with your follow-ups, listen to your body and check out anything that doesn't seem quite right.

Hang in there!
monami

Hi Kristi,
It is good your cancer was found early as of course the chances of surgery being the full cure is best in such cases. It is normal to fear cancer may return and sadly we all go through this which is part of that dreaded Cancerhead which makes us believe, when for example we feel even a little ill, that "it is back." Time helps but not 100%..
I understand that at least for endometrial cancer and I believe it also applies to most gyn cancers, the physical exam and the patient advising their doctor re any unusual symptoms between exams and soon as they occur, are paramount for catching recurrence an early stage. When something is found at an exam or a patient advises re symptoms consistent with a recurrence, the doctor very likely will order a CT and/or Petscan.
Re PetScans, this test can often detect early cancer however, generally is very costly and it as well as the Catscan, which is better at detecting cancer growth that is larger, often also can present false positives, for example, "shadows" that may or may not be something, and these then need to be checked out further. You may be aware that in general many Insurance companies will not pay for either test unless there is indication (from physical exam, certain symptoms,etc. ) of a possible recurrence
I suggest you talk re with your gyn/onc and let him advise what is the optimal means, given your particular case, for early detection. You could mention Petscans and/or Ctscans and get his views and if he thinks this is necessary for your case perhaps he'll include one of these tests too.
Good luck and pls let us know how things go.

Hey hon, that sounds pretty routine for the time and staging. I had a pap and exam (including rectal) done every 3 months post-op. The plan was pap/exam every 3 months, CT scan yearly for the first couple years. I recently graduated to 6 month pap/exams (YAY!!!) with a yearly PET scan.

Thank you all for your reassurances. I know it is normal to be scared, but it doesn't make it any less scary!

It will get better as time goes by. That was the only thing that helped me, Time. I worried a bit less at each checkup, especially after I got through the first year and then the second year. I know it seems like a long time to wait, but time was the only think I found that helped.

Sorry that I couldn't be more helpful.

Hugs and smooches,
Janie