Surveillance

[clyde_on]

here is a ref from TCRC's website:

OHSU protocol

* Year 1: Tumor Markers and Chest X-ray done every 2 months
Abdominal CT scan done every 3 months
* Year 2: Tumor Markers and Chest X-ray done every 2 months
Abdominal CT scan done every 4 months
* Years 3-5: Tumor Markers and Chest X-ray done every 6 months
Abdominal CT scan done every 6 months
* After Year 5: Tumor Markers and Chest X-ray done once a year

Here is what my Uroligist is recomending:
THis is monthly for the fist year:
BLOOD WORK :
AFP
HCG
LIVER - Hepatic PAnel
CBC w/Manual Differ
BMP - Basic Metabolic Pane
chest x ray 2 views
Every 4 months
CT of Pelvis With and without contrast
CT of abdomen With and without contrast


I don't mind the every month thing but I thought seminomas grow slow and I am unsure on the whole liver thing and BMP. I understand what the test are but in general the whole thing seems to me like over kill with the exception of the ct scans.

Does anyone know if IU has a standard protocal for Surveillance?
IF so where could I find it ?

ONE last thing ,
My ONC seems to have a much different view of this then my Uroligist, if you were me would you be seeing a Uroligist for Surveillance or a MED ONC?


Any thoughts would be great!

[dadmo]

Here's another referance you can use, NCCN. The follow-ups should be with your oncologist but it's fine to question why he want's to check so often.

[cbuysse]

Does anyone know why the Liver-Hepatic panel is part of the surveillance protocal? thanks!

[Scott]

...if you were me would you be seeing a Uroligist for Surveillance or a MED ONC?

Medical oncologist.

[clyde_on]

thanks all!

thanks all!

I was thinking along the lines of the advice I was given by Scott and Dadmo.
It help a lot!

[tonytigre]

I have liver-hepatic panel done each surviellence visit just because I have what is known as fatty infiltration of the liver. If it showed up on your CAT Scan that could be a reason your provider is having it done.