I m wanting to get a second opinion on follow up program for colon cancer. My partner has had surgery, and is about to finish 12 month of Folfox regime. Diagosis was Stage 3 with significant lymph node involvement. No evidence of cancer in other organs. He has two treatments to go. Oncologist is suggesting that blood tests (CEA markers) is monitoring process, yet I would have assumed there might have been some scanning involved to confirm no progression to other organs.
Follow up after colon cancer treatment requires periodic blood testing for CEA and periodic ultrasound examination and CT scans when necessary. If the doctor asks for these tests, it doesn't mean that spread has occurred. It is part of follow up to pick up disease early in case some mishap occurs. Better not to worry about metastasis without any findings on reports. Can go ahead with tests without fear