Surveillance/Relapse question

[BigBoss32]

IQuestion about relapse....I had a clean RPLND and was told by the doc that I have a 5% chance of the EC jumping to the lungs. My question is: Is that the only place it will relpase or just the most likely place? The reason I ask is that I see that CT scans are much less frequent after RPLND which means kidneys, liver etc are not frequently checked. Man am I driving myself crazy!!! I get a good prognosis and I just keep running scenarios in my head!!!!.....As usual all help appreciated. Thanks

[Geoff]

After RPLND you have about a 10% chance of relapse. The most likely place is the lungs, which is why you'll have regular chest x-rays. It can show up elsewhere, but it is rare, so you shouldn't worry about it. You'll have another CT scan and then you'll just have one when "clinically indicated". I think eventually you'll start to relax. I had more anxiety before my first few appointments than I do now, so it does get easier over time.

[Nut of Mordor]

After RPLND you have about a 10% chance of relapse

Not sure but think is 10% if they find teratoma, and 5% if all the nodes are clear.

[Sparty]

I'm in the same boat and given what NoM says, I guess I'm in the 10%. My RPNLD revealed 2 out of 18 nodes affected with 80% embryonal and 20% teratoma. Dr. Foster recommended that I get a chest x-ray once per month for year one and then every other month in year 2 - I still haven't seen the final writeup and I'm going from memory in the hospital right now. He also indicated that relapse will occur within 2 yrs 95%(?) of the time. Does this sound right? I'm not going to worry about relapse other than knowing that its in my control through diet and behavior. It helps me to believe that I was cured by the RPNLD - I'm a scientist and I understand statistics well but I also believe in the power of positive thought.

[Geoff]

Not sure but think is 10% if they find teratoma, and 5% if all the nodes are clear.

I was told about 10% (my nodes were clear) and when I've been able to find info, it's about that.

For EC, most relapses happen within 2 years, and more likely in the first year if it is to happen at all. I don't know the specific numbers though. Good that you're staying positive and not worry about relapse. I like to think that if it comes back, it can be dealt with so why worry about something that has a small chance of happening, and if it did, can usually be dealt with.