What test does one have to take to know if a person is on remission or cancer free?

Question

I had my mastectomy 3 years ago and my question is my Oncologist never said I am cancer free or on remission. I wanted to ask her if I am on remission or cancer free but she told me there is no test for such.She ask me monthly for several test like, bone scan,bone density test ,several blood test , ultrasounds and x rays.Is that the only way to know if you are still free from cancer?

Answer 1

If you aren't communicating well with your oncologist then say something to her. Write down a list of your concerns and next time you see her, hand her this list, and make sure everything on it gets talked about to your understanding and satisfaction. Some doctors aren't the best communicators. Give the note idea a try. As far as tests go, the standard is a combined PET/MRI or PET/CT. This test will find any residual hot-spots missed by the surgery and chemo/radiation. Best Wishes

Answer 2

I don't think it's a certain test or a certain amount of time to be considered in remission. After tests, scans, blood work, etc. come back clear for a while, people say they are in. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer 13 years ago. I faintly remember her saying she was in remission after her chemo and radiation, but I was young and shielded from real world stuff back then. It spread to her lungs in 2004. I remember her saying, "I was almost in my 5th year of remission!" but I don't know if her oncologist actually told her that she had been in remission, or if it was just her way of explaining how long she had been cancer free.



I'm surprised your doctor didn't go into further detail after asking her this. I really hope she didn't just say, "No, there's no test for that!" and leave it at that. I can only imagine what having cancer would do to a person mentally, always wondering if it's still there or if it's going to spread. Normally they run tests for a period of time after initial treatment, and let you know that there are no signs the cancer is still there or it coming back, for reassurance. Best of luck.



Add--> I wanted to add that my mother is still here and fighting. I made it sound as if she had passed. Since 1998 it has spread to her lungs, bone, liver and colon with a 2nd diagnoses of breast cancer in between. But she keeps fighting, working full time and living an otherwise normal life.



I know it must be frustrating to never hear "you're in remission" but that's not what matters. You're here, you're a survivor and you've kicked cancer's butt. :)

Answer 3

Once you have had your mastectomy and gone through treatment you are considered a survivor which these days is as good as saying you are in remission, unless of course you are stage 4. Bone scans and CT scans are used to try and pick up any spread of the cancer. My oncologist doesn't request them for me and won't until/if I have pain that won't go away. She does do tumour markers each time I visit her and keeps an eye on it that way. There is no way to truly know if you are cancer free but you should just live your life assuming that you are. If and when you have a problem worry about it then.

Answer 4

There are some blood tests can associate to the cancer cell existence and the amount such as CEA test(cancinoembryonic antigen) this is a protein which from cancer cell discharge to blood stream.If the level high mean the Cancer cell is growing if very little or decrease mean cancer cell under control.other test are CA 15-3 and cell search test(search and count cancer cell in the blood).All those tests can help to know the condition of the illness.Because those tests are not specific for special type of cancer it can only use as part of reference to review the whole picture.Definition of remission is: no sign and symptoms of cancer shows so it is easy to answer this question but cancer free or not is much more difficult to answer and no tests can confirm it.Because if the same risk factories to develop cancer in the same person has no change any time this person can develop similar cancer and is no way to pin point it is the original one.Normal cell become to cancer are through;DNA changes(believe due to risk factories) then 1st,2nd 3rd...mutation become cancer cell if some reasons weak immune power(cellular immune power) can not detect and destroy and let it grow to become cancer.Many breast cancer patient been treated and no show sign and symptoms for long but cancer come back 10+ years later.It is hardly to know this is recurrent or new develop cancer.

Answer 5

Ask for a PET scan. This shows a lot more than normal scans. I'm surprised that you don't have one every 6 months for the first 5 years. My dad had cancer and I have noticed that they do not use the word remission.