First CT Scan After First-Line Chemo in Stage IV Lung Cancer - 1263646

Hi Seth,

The main disadvantage would be that if the first line treatment is not working, you would like to know that earlier than later, so that you can try a different regimen. Also, if the side effects of the treatment have been difficult to tolerate, you would be less likely to continue that regimen if you know that it is not very effective.

On the other hand, another way for doctors to judge response is evidence of a patient's symptoms improving. As you stated in your previous thread, your dad's cough and pain have improved, which is a good indication that he is responding to treatment. That would be a reason for his oncologist to wait to scan until after the fourth cycle.

Hoping your dad continues to feel good and that he gets great scan results.

JimC
Forum moderator

Yes, Jim's exactly right. It's true that there's a general consensus around usually scanning after 2-3 cycles, but that presumes you don't have a good idea of what's happening. I sometimes wait longer to scan patients with small cell lung cancer, for instance, when I already know very clearly that they are responding because their cancer-related symptoms melt away and they are now breathing better, gaining weight back, far more active, with no pain, etc. Aside from being better able to measure progress visually, there's not a great incentive to do a test that you already know the answer to: at this point, the key question is just "is the treatment helping enough to continue on it?".

Good luck.

-Dr. West