Why Are Scans Not Done Post Breast Cancer Treatment?
You will need to get PET scan done.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Yes, your doctor is correct.
Studies of large number of cases revealed that immediately post treatment or regular follow up investigations which may help detect residual cancer or even early recurrence actually dont drastically change treatment options, outcome of treatments or prolong the life.
Reasons to avoid such investigations are recurrent hospital visits, economic burden, over used resources and important of all is side effects/hazards from such scans.
These are the reasons for not getting investigations done.
But in my view investigations combined with clinical evaluation should be undertaken, so that frequency and number of investigations are reduced.
If I were your treating doctor, I would order a PET scan done, this will help evaluate entire body. Then follow up with ultrasounds and clinical examination.
A PET scan can be repeated in cases of any suspicious symptom appears.
Hope this helps.
Regards