Checkups after surgery

Hi Russell,

I’m the same as you. No regular scans unless there is an issue that needs investigated. Since my surgery in Feb 2024, I have only had one scan due to chest discomfort (which was put down to a hiatal hernia  - not uncommon after this surgery). I just have to assume that all is ok and get on with living. At least I suppose I don’t have to put up with the scanxiety that can come with regular scans. 

Fair point about the scanxiety (I like that one).

Just wanted to check i wasnt being short changed by my local NHS trust in terms of follow-up treatment. Definitely seems to be some differences based on postcode.

Assume there will be a pretty low threshold for sending me for a scan should I develop anything that gives cause for concern.

Scan wont actually change anything. Just need to focus on being healthy and giving my body the best chance of taking care of itslef.

Thanks 

Russ

Hi 

All sounds pretty standard .My husband was told that his upper GI dept couldn’t  offer any follow up CT scans unless new symptoms are reported .So far he’s reported three new symptoms and to be fair CT scans , and on one occasion an endoscopy was arranged pretty quickly .Luckily each time , the new symptoms reported were not cancer related , but he was advised  to report anything of concern and it would be investigated.

It’s coming up to four years since he had his surgery and regarding the cancer , alls looking good so far .

My advice would to you would be to report anything new  , no matter how trivial you think it may be .You may not need to be scanned every time and sometimes just reassurance is needed for peace of mind 

Just to add he has had six monthly scans on a kidney issue ( now yearly ) , his upper GI consultant took advantage of this and requested they scan him from the neck down so they could also monitor his upper GI area too .Obviously when he reaches five years we’re assuming this will cease .

Best wishes 

J 

This is interesting and highlights the different in the approach if you can go private.i am lucky that my employer provides cover.  I was deemed non operable so undergoing 2nd line chemo.  I had a chat with my oncologist and mentioned that I had very slight discomfort eating on a couple of occasions.  She didnt hesitate and arranged a CT, in her words it can be really important for peace of mind to check on progress.  I think that if you would find a scan reassuring that you have two options be ready to pay for one or if that is not an option at the fiirst time your body behaves differently push for one. If you present with symptoms it would be hard for medics to deny you.  Now you have had some great advice and dont let anxiety stop you from living but ask yourself if the scan would ease the anxiety enough to make you less anxious, we are all different and all need different levels of re-assurance.  Good luck Russ and well done in getting through the surgery and your road to recovery.

Regards

Richard 

I was accepted on the sarong trial and I get six monthly CT scans and yearly endoscopy for three years. Since my op I have had two scans and one endoscopy. Glad to say all clear, it does give you peace of mind ! 

Russellc65fc0 said:

Had the second of my 3 montly checkups yesterday and was told I will have no further scans unless I develop new symptoms. They essentially just asked if I felt ok and that was pretty much it.

Does this sound normal? Sure I have read people's stories who are havin periodic scans post surgery.

I think that's indeed the current practice, following the NICE guidelines. But I have wondered about this too and, as noted by Dibden doll above, things could potentially change in future as a result of the current Sarong trials.

Edit to add: I remember discussing this same question here before. You might be interested to read the the following thread:

community.macmillan.org.uk/.../recurrence-without-any-symptoms

Hi Russell

I had my op. end of may, I was Stage 1 and had part stomach and most of my oesophagus removed.

Had a review middle of July to discuss histology and was told no spread to any of the lymph nodes they removed so classed me as all clear with a very small chance of recurrence. Going forward surgeon said there would be no scans unless any problems develop and we could even do the 3 monthly appointments over the phone.

Not sure why they told you all the cancer removed but recurrence is reasonably high

Hi Russ. My husband had a scan a couple of weeks after his op in May but hasn't had one since. He had a review to discuss the histology results (which were good) a few weeks after his op and one over the phone at the end of June.

He had another review with his surgeon last week. As both he and the dietitian are happy with hubby's progress we were told he'll have another review in about 6 months time and that they'll do a blood test and scan then, but with the proviso that he should contact them if any problems arise before then.

Every time you have a scan you're subjected to radiation which isn't exactly good for you. I get the impression they don't do them unless they think they're strictly necessary.