Dr.Myers, I recently completed 43 treatments of IMRT and have my first post treatment exam one after the treatments end. Is this too soon. I have read on most sites that the doctor generally sees their patients 3 months after.
I think your doctor’s plan is correct. This early visit is useful in identifying any developing side effects from radiation and this would allow the physician to initiate treatment for those side effects in a timely manner. Also, if you have cancer that is rapidly growing outside of the radiation therapy field, an early evaluation like this would identify the problem. On the other hand, full tumor kill after radiation therapy often develops gradually and it is common to see the PSA fall slowly over a matter of months to years after radiation. As long as the PSA is continuing to fall, you are probably doing fine – so long term follow up is also important.