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Watch and wait

xxHHxx
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Hi,

Is it common practice to emplace a watch and wait routine? 

Pet lit up - 3 months later ct showed minor growth- apparently unable to biopsy area - wait another 3 months for another ct. 

This is for possible a recurrance of cervical cancer. In exact same place (2nodes) that has already been treated. 

Surely it would be better to treat sooner rather than later? 

Previous treatment chemo, radiotherapy and brachythereapy.

Questions have been asked but not really answered.

  • Hello and thanks for posting

    I am sorry to hear you are currently in a watch and wait situation and appreciate the worry this must be causing you.

    There are many people who are put on watch and wait surveillance when something unusual is picked up on an imaging scan. This is usually something that is too small to be able to be biopsied to gain further information but at the same time needs to be kept an eye on at regular intervals for any changes.

    Whilst I appreciate your fear that this could be a cancer recurrence I think the important thing to remember is that you are being closely monitored. If and when things change and they are able to run more tests they will run these to find out if treatment is needed, before then try and sit tight. No treatment comes without side effects and risks and treating unnecessarily can cause more harm than good and the doctors involved in your care will have weighed all of this up.

    Do also speak with your specialist nurse if you have one to talk things through with them.

    Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Naomi

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Naomi

    Hi

    Thank you for the reply, sitting tight is harder said than done, especially as this has now stopped me going on holiday. 

    One more question, I need a kidney stent fitted, this has been expedited. But what does that really mean in the NHS world? Are there guidelines for timeliness? 

  • in reply to xxHHxx

    Hello and thank you for contacting us. but I am not sure if I am going to be able to answer your question.

    As a charity into cancer research and not part of the NHS, we are unable to say what the waiting time is at your particular hospital for that procedure.

    We have information on cancer waiting times on our website here. But, for any more information than this, it is probably best to contact your team at the hospital.

    There are guidelines for starting cancer treatment, but these are only a recommendation, not a requirement. I am not aware of any guidelines in any other situations. 

    Take care and if you want to chat with one of the nurses on our helpline the number is Freephone 0808 800 4040. The lines are open from 9 am till 5 pm Monday to Friday.

    Sarah.

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