Are your Post-BEPx3 CT scans of the Abdomen or Abdomen+Pelvis?

[ByeByeMrRighty]

Hi there, for those of you who have gone through conventional BEPx3, are your follow-up CT scans of the Abdomen or Abdomen+Pelvis? The NCCN guidelines say "CT of abdomen+/-pelvis," and I'm not quite sure what that means. My oncologist is suggesting abdomen+pelvis, with a chest x-ray of course. I was fortunate to have a complete response to chemotherapy with no residual masses, and I know relapses in the pelvis are very uncommon so I question the extra scanning. Thanks in advance!

[Davepet]

My doc scanned from my head to knees, probably overkill, but to the best of my knowledge I do not glow in the dark...

[AussieDan]

I had a relapse in my pelvis, so it can happen. My scans are always chest, abdo, pelvis, not something I've worried about personally.

[ByeByeMrRighty]

@Davepet. Good to know!

I had a relapse in my pelvis, so it can happen. My scans are always chest, abdo, pelvis, not something I've worried about personally.

Interesting, it seems relapses in the pelvis are rather uncommon but I have heard of it. If I may, did you have seminoma or non-seminoma? And if non-seminoma, was the relapse also detected with elevated blood tumor markers?

[Ann]

My son has the "CT of abdomen+/-pelvis every 6-months. I believe he has had only one chest x-ray, following the BEP3x. His next scan is September which will be 10months since chemo.

06/17 - emergency visit - you have TC.
07/17- O/I surgery 2A - 95% embryonal carcinoma 5% yolk sac
09/17 - 11/17 3XBEP
03/15/18 - cancer free. Blood work every 2 months, scan every 6 months.

[eodtech2001]

I had a primary site relapse several years ago and so from then on they did a whole body scan as Dave mentioned he had whole body scan.
This last scan they did was just CT not PET/CT and this time they you barium contrast. I asked why this time and was told because when you look at the images its has an outstanding contrast in which to compare from pervious scans.
That is 1 good thing about having scans done at the VA. They have all the previous scans in 1 location and the doctors can talk to each other.
My scan may be done at 1 place but it is read at a central location and then forwarded back to my oncologist. So for me it has been pretty spot on with very little judgement call again because its always read and compared to previous scans and usually the same group of doctors. Any questions and they talk about it over the montior or at lunch

[AussieDan]

Interesting, it seems relapses in the pelvis are rather uncommon but I have heard of it. If I may, did you have seminoma or non-seminoma? And if non-seminoma, was the relapse also detected with elevated blood tumor markers?

Non-seminoma, and no elevated tumour markers, it was 100% teratoma

[JeskiM69]

My Post BEP scans changed over time.

In the first year or so they consisted of Abdo/Pelvic.
After that it was just Abdo. However you could see the Lungs in the field....so I am not sure why the chest was in there.
At Year 3 I had my final scan. So no more scans unless there is a suspicion of a problem (TC or otherwise).

- Matt