Suggest Procedure To Follow Up On Breast Cancer

Posted on Mon, 6 Oct 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 6 Oct 2014 Answered on

Wed, 22 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : How often is it recommended to one to get a PET scan after treatment of Stage 3 Her 2 positive breast cancer. I still see physician every 4-5 months but he does nothing but lab work. I had a double mastectomy, radiation, perception for a year and chemotherapy. I am a 56 year old female under a lot of stress.

perception was suppose to be Herceptin

Answered by Dr. Meher Lakshmi Konatam (-4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
PET not recommended

Detailed Answer:
PET scans and CT scans are not recommended in the follow up of breast cancer. Clinical examination is what is recommended in follow up guidelines. Depending on history and clinical examination investigations are requested. If history is not suggestive of metastasis and clinical examination is also normal, no further tests are required. Guidelines are same for Her positive and also negative patients

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D