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Small cell lung cancer: How often do you get surveillance testing?
Lung Cancer | Last Active: Jan 18 11:11am | Replies (14)Comment receiving replies
Mine was NSCell cancer, stage 1. Had the entire lower left lung removed in August 2021, all margins clear and all lymph node clear, Thank God! For the first 2 years I saw my oncologist following CT with contrast lung scan and blood work from their lab every 6 months. From here out, I still have my next apt in 6 months, then will see if still clear, I can go once per year, after the 5 year limit, my oncologist said I would have a low dose CT lung scan annually, and that could be with my primary care doctor for 15 years, not sure I am comfortable with that? But I also have COPD so I will have them read my scans as well. Time will tell as my oncologist is leaving this practice in January and I will be seeing another oncologist and will follow her reccomendations. I just hit my 2 year 'surgical cancer free' never had chemo or radiation. Best of luck to you.
Replies to "Mine was NSCell cancer, stage 1. Had the entire lower left lung removed in August 2021,..."
why did they remove your entire lower left lung? I am new to this but that seems very significant rather than other forms of treatment. How was it initially diagnosed and what was your journey like? Are you now feeling normal and has it impaired your day to day life?
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@pjmen59, it is common after the initial follow-up for a year or two that care is transferred to one's primary care doctor. I can understand your apprehension after having had specialized cancer care from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up. Since you've been with you PCP for 15 years now, do you think you could have an open and frank discussion with them and share your apprehension. They could explain what their protocol is with informing the oncology team and also what role your own personal "surveillance" is in monitoring your symptoms, the cross-over symptoms of COPD and what to watch for, etc.
Do you think your PCP is open to frank discussion like that?