How often should my wife follow up post cancer treatment?

Question

Hello doctor,

My wife is 58 years old and finished chemotherapy for stage III endometrial cancer almost a year ago. Lately, she has noticed some unusual vaginal discharge. Her general doctor said this might be caused by normal hormonal changes after treatment.

We want to understand if this symptom could mean the cancer has come back.

Can you explain how doctors usually check for this?
We would also like to know what follow-up tests are recommended after treatment and how often she should see her oncologist for regular check-ups.

Thank you for your help and advice.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I hope you are well.

For stage III endometrial cancer, the treatment approach is well-defined, and it appears she has already received the appropriate therapy.

Patients are typically reviewed every six months, then annually once stable. As she has not seen her oncologist in the past year, resuming follow-up within the next seven days is recommended to ensure proper monitoring.

Follow-up typically includes measuring CA-125 levels and imaging studies, such as an MRI of the abdomen and pelvis, to check for recurrence or new disease activity. Regular follow-up is especially important since it has been a year since treatment was completed.

The vaginal discharge may be due to benign causes, such as local inflammation after treatment, which can often be managed with simple medication. This does not necessarily indicate disease spread, but proper evaluation is important. Visiting the oncologist and completing the recommended checks will provide reassurance and ensure everything is under control.

I hope this addresses your concerns.

Please feel free to reach out with any further questions.

I am happy to assist.

Thank you.