I won't truly be 2yrs out from treatment until September 2026. Should I get a CT scan in July 2026

Should You Get a CT Scan in July 2026? (Pre-2-Year Mark)

This is a smart, specific question — and the answer depends on a few factors I want to walk through with you.

The Timing Context

You're asking about getting a CT scan 2 months before your 2-year treatment completion anniversary. Let me explain why this timing matters for your clear cell/endometrial cancer.

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What the Evidence Shows for Your Situation

According to NCCN Guidelines for Ovarian Cancer, the surveillance approach for early-stage patients (you're Stage 1C2) focuses on:

• Clinical evaluation as the primary tool
• CA-125 monitoring at regular intervals
• Imaging clinically indicated — meaning ordered when there's a clinical reason, not on a fixed schedule

Key point: The guidelines don't recommend routine "anniversary" CT scans just because a certain time has passed. Instead, imaging is ordered based on:

• Symptoms or clinical findings
• Rising CA-125
• Physical exam concerns
• Specialist judgment about individual risk

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Why July 2026 Might Actually Be Strategic for YOU

However, there are specific reasons a pre-2-year scan could make sense in your case:

Reason 1: Clear Cell's Recurrence Pattern

• Clear cell has higher early recurrence risk (0-2 years)
• Most recurrences happen in this window
• A scan at the 2-year mark serves as a "reassurance baseline" — showing you're clear at the highest-risk point
• Doing it in July (2 months early) vs. September doesn't change much clinically

Reason 2: Your CA-125 Reliability

• Your CA-125 has been normal for 2 years — excellent
• BUT clear cell cancers can recur with normal CA-125
• A CT at the 2-year mark could provide reassurance that your normal CA-125 is actually reliable for you going forward
• This helps you know: "If my CA-125 stays normal AND my CT was clear, I can trust that marker"

Reason 3: Psychological/Peace of Mind

• After Abraxane chemotherapy and hysterectomy, reaching the 2-year mark is psychologically significant
• A clear CT can provide genuine reassurance as you transition to longer surveillance intervals
• This is legitimate — anxiety management matters for quality of life

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Questions to Ask Your Oncologist About July 2026

Rather than me deciding for you, here's what to discuss:

1. "Would you recommend a CT scan around my 2-year mark (July vs. September 2026)? Why or why not?"

2. "Given my clear cell histology and normal CA-125, what would a clear CT tell us about my future surveillance?"

3. "If I get a CT in July and it's clear, how does that change my surveillance strategy going forward?"

4. "What's your typical approach — do you do 'reassurance scans' at the 2-year mark for clear cell patients?"

5. "If I don't get a CT now, when would you recommend one — year 3? Year 5?"

6. "Are there any symptoms or findings between now and July 2026 that would change this plan?"

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The Practical Considerations

Arguments FOR a July 2026 CT:

• ✅ You're at the end of the highest-risk window (0-2 years)
• ✅ Provides baseline for future comparison
• ✅ Reassurance that normal CA-125 is reliable for you
• ✅ Helps transition to longer surveillance intervals (year 3-5)
• ✅ Clear cell behavior warrants extra vigilance at this milestone

Arguments AGAINST routine CT:

• ❌ No symptoms or CA-125 elevation
• ❌ Radiation exposure (though one CT is minimal risk)
• ❌ Cost
• ❌ NCCN Guidelines don't mandate routine scans for asymptomatic early-stage patients
• ❌ Clinical visits + CA-125 monitoring may be sufficient

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My Assessment for Your Situation

If I had to recommend: A CT scan around your 2-year mark (July or September 2026) makes reasonable sense for you specifically because:

1. You have clear cell cancer — higher recurrence risk warrants extra vigilance
2. You have normal CA-125 — a clear CT validates that this marker is working for you
3. You're transitioning from high-risk to lower-risk surveillance — a clear scan supports this transition
4. You've completed aggressive treatment — a reassurance scan is reasonable at this milestone

However: This should be YOUR oncologist's decision based on:

• Their experience with clear cell patients
• Your individual risk factors
• Your anxiety level and preference
• Whether you've had any concerning symptoms

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What to Do Now (Before July 2026)

Don't wait until July to decide. Bring this up at your next oncology visit:

1. Ask directly: "Should I have a CT scan around my 2-year mark?"
2. Explain your thinking: "I want to know if a clear scan would help guide my future surveillance"
3. Discuss timing: "Would July or September matter?"
4. Get the plan in writing: Know exactly what the surveillance strategy is going forward

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Bottom Line

July 2026 is a reasonable time to discuss a CT scan with your oncologist. It's not too early (you're at the 2-year milestone), and it serves a purpose (reassurance + baseline for future comparison).

But the decision should be made collaboratively with your oncologist, not based on a calendar date alone. The key question is: "Will this CT change how we manage you going forward?" If yes, it's worth doing. If it's just routine, your clinical visits + CA-125 monitoring may be sufficient.

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This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare team for personalized medical advice and decisions.

Sources: NCCN Guidelines Version 3.2025 — Ovarian Cancer/Fallopian Tube Cancer/Primary Peritoneal Cancer (Monitoring/Follow-up and Less Common Ovarian Cancers sections)