No "All Clear" after Treatment.

Hi BVB

The answer to your question is yes.

Most of us have some sort of scan at 12 to 16 weeks. Usually PET or may be MRI

We are monitored very closely for the first year with review intervals increasing thereafter.

The best we get is no evidence of disease at check ups and complete metabolic response at scans.

Recurrence is most common in the first year and by the time you get to two years your chances are excellent

By five years we are usually discharged as needing no further reviews. Nobody pronounces us cured however.

Thanks for that Dani.  Only difference for me is that I'm not due to get any scans. Oh well  just have to hope this first year goes well then

Hi BVB I di know if a few at my cancer centre who after treatment they too had chemo radiation for lymph node involvement they didn’t have scans post treatment either. None of ys get tge cancer free moment that the films seem to portray. The best we get is complete metabolic response. As Dani says reoccurrence s are most likely in that first year hence xxthe frequent check ups. At 5 years we get discharged . All I can offer is get on with your life and trust the treatment . I’m 4 years post radiotherapy and chemo and to br honest I don’t ever think about reoccurrence s. one life live it is my motto. 
Hazel x

Hiya

ive not had a fU scan either, had surgery and Radiotherapy. Im being seen every 6 weeks, although worked out 12 weeks due to staff holidays/sickness. Im being fU for 10 years because of the type of cancer i have/had 

Elaine 

Hi BVB09  I think we are all different post treatment and the clinicians approach our check-ups individually within the protocols of the hospital.  I had a post treatment PET scan at 6 months mainly because my cancer presentation is somewhat strange and I needed some reassurance.  Nearly 3 years after initial diagnosis I am on a check-up sequence that varies from 2 to 4 months.  Generally the physical checks and the scoping will detect any changes often before a scan will.  It did in my case.  At my last check I was told that they would probably never discharge me due to my strange presentation of the caner.  Personally I can live with that rather than being cast adrift in hope.