CT Scan Neck Thorax Abdomen Pelvis with Cont, Ivor Lewis after Cancer of the Oesophagus

[AlisonStobart]

Alan is now 2 years and 2 months Post IL. His last checkup was early August when Prof Griffin said that he was really pleased and that Alan was in good health. Next appointment would be in another 6 months. The follow up letter said exactly the same. Today Alan has received an appointment for a CT Scan Neck Thorax Abdomen Pelvis with Cont. this wasn’t mentioned at all during the August appointment, nor in the follow up letter. Now Alan is really worried that Prof Griffin picked up on something but didn’t say. However since first diagnosis Prof Griffin has been very honest and not given to making positive statements that weren’t accurate. We have been surprised that Alan hasn’t been asked to undergo any tests since the IL but we have noticed that some other patients have had the same experience and took it that hospitals were either cutting back or presuming they were causing less worry when there was perhaps nothing to get anxious about. Do you think the appointment for the CT Scan is just routine or a suggestion of something ominous?

[Magpuss]

If I were you I'd find out if the appointment was really intended for your husband. It's possible that a mistake has been made.

[AlisonStobart in reply to Magpuss]

Hadn’t thought of that! Will check that out today. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[Mark4]

Alison I had oesophagectomy and was scanned by GSTT for several years please don’t worry it’s belt and braces and in my experience normal . Just be pleased they’re keeping tabs.

I had regular scans post op Alan hasn’t so probably due one,

Best wishes

Mark

[AlisonStobart in reply to Mark4]

Thanks for your reply Mark. Obviously I’ve been googling (!) and the NHS state that CT scans aren’t usually used post op unless the doctor suspects the cancer may have returned. I know that different hospitals work in different ways and that some do CT scans routinely. Maybe Alan’s hospital does them after the 2 year mark but not before.

[Mark4 in reply to AlisonStobart]

Alison the regime really varies by hospital. It really is nothing for you to worry about at GSTT the scans were totally routine I had them with no symptoms.....the first one I had showed pulmonary embolism as a result of the chemo so there are non- cancer benefits in the scan.

[Nutmeg12]

Hi Alison. I had my op 2 and 1/2 year ago and have an annual CT scan as part of the monitoring. I find it very reassuring.

[DavidP]

I had one scan that was about 5-6 months post op and 2-3 months post-chemo. I was told it was a baseline assessment - I assume this was to to document any lumps and bumps following surgery (but after I had healed) so that they could distinguish between these and any new problems in the future.

[Molly14]

Hi Alison - best thing to do would be get in touch with your husbands specialist nurse and double check the appointment is meant for your husband and take it from there.

[liz_crisp]

Hi I agree withMolly, Doyle Check the appt is correct.

[Revdel]

Hello Alison

Am I correct in thinking this is Prof Griffin in the unit at the RVI? I would just ring the specialist nurses and ask for clarification. They are so good and helpful. Del

[AlisonStobart in reply to Revdel]

Yes, the very one. Alan phoned the RVI today and was told that someone would phone back but no one did. We both feel really anxious.

[tallbear]

Bear in mind that with some hospitals scans and x-rays are undertaken by a different department and not by the surgical team.

I had exactly the same and it really is nothing to worry about it's just that the time for your re-scan has come up and although the Professor will get the results it's another departments responsibility to see that it is done.

When I got mine it said on the letter 'cancer priority' and I was really nervous but it's just a way of putting you at the front of the queue.

Good luck with it all

Richard

[AlisonStobart in reply to tallbear]

Thanks for that Richard

[worthbanner]

In America, 6-month interval CT scans for the first 2 years post-IL and annually for the next three years are pretty much standard without any further symptoms or evidence of recurrence/metastasis. Some gastros will even add an endoscopy after a couple of years. It's helpful--the fact of the testing is nothing to worry about and most likely the results will be a relief.

[AlisonStobart in reply to worthbanner]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Since Alan had his op in July 2016 he hasn’t had a single scan or other examination other than a 1:1 10 Knute appointment talking to a doctor from the OC team. In August of this year he had his 2 year check and the professor stated that he was in ‘great shape’. Nothing was said about a CT Scan. He was just told he would have his usual checkup appointment in 6 months. A few weeks later an appointment for a CT Scan has arrived. Alan phoned the hospital on Friday to check if the appointment was an error. He was told that one of the nurses would call him back. We’re hoping that someone who has information will phone today.