Tumor growth after chemo

The answer to your question depends on her pathology report from surgery if they find residual cancer they may recommend radiotherapy and oral chemo but this is something you need to discuss with her surgeon and oncologist 

in reference to folllow up scans they have to be careful on their use as the scans omit radiation so can cause cancer. So a double edged sword. 

Yes we would only book an MRI scan without the radiation. It just seems odd when some patients are getting 3 monthly scans as standard. 

Firstly, that is really great news that the tumour shrank so much - you all know that you have treatment available that works.

Whether your wife has further treatment after surgery will depend on the pathology results, as has been said. 

On the scans, over and above the point made about radiation, I was worried about yearly mammograms as my mammogram didn't show the lump I had found at all, and they could only see it on ultrasound. When I asked whether I should be getting yearly ultrasounds or MRIs, they said the mammogram is just a catch all and that I should be regularly checking myself for any changes and getting them investigated straight away.

In a way, that was a comfort as I know people can get very anxious at check up time and she was basically saying there should be no surprises.

Maybe they were saying it wasn't necessary? But for peace of mind, if you can afford a safe procedure such as ultrasound or MRI, then you can still look in to that, whether your MDT wants you to or not.

Hello Bill and everyone,  I agree with BeattheBreat!!!!!   had a clear standard screening mammogram in January 2021.  In June I felt the cancer that was 2cm just below my skin on one boob.  It had spread to one lymph node when they operated in August.  I have spoken to my oncologist about the lack of faith I have in the mammogram technology/process based on my experience and that I did not want to rely on just an annual surveillance mammogram going forwards.  My oncologist suggested I pay privately for a contract breast MRI every year at six months intervals to the mammogram. I have received the latest prices from a local hospital (Nuffield) - in my area the scan costs £757 with a 3-5 week wait list and results are back in 3-4 working days.  You will need to referred by your GP.  I am not medically qualified but my understanding is the mammogram is a form of radiation/X ray but a MRI is a magnetic field (not radiation).  Therefore my understanding is that you wouldn't be getting a "double dose" of something dangerous.  I am going to pay for this for many years now if I can afford it because it is using 2 different scanning technologies, two different hospitals and two different teams interpreting the scans.  Now I think people don't challenge their oncologists/surgeons/GPs enough!  Bill you could always ask to speak to someone with your wife about this again.  It could be something about the specific type of cancer that we don't understand properly - but they should explain it to you.  Especially as my oncologist suggested the MRI scans!!!!