Read article Follow up after treatment for eye cancer
This page tells you about follow up for eye cancer. There is information about
Follow up after treatment for eye cancer
After your treatment has finished, you will have regular check ups. This is to make sure that you are recovering well and the cancer has not come back. Or that a new cancer has not developed.
Your check ups may include blood tests, an eye examination and X-rays or scans. If you had lymphoma of the eye you may have a lumbar puncture. Your doctor will ask how you feel, and whether you have had any new symptoms or are worried about anything.
How often will I need follow up?
At first, your check ups will be quite often. As time goes on, if you stay well, they will gradually become less and less frequent. If you are worried about anything between appointments, let your doctor know straight away.
Many people find their check ups quite worrying. A hospital appointment can bring all the worry about your cancer back to you. You may find it helpful to tell someone close to you how you are feeling. It is quite common nowadays for people to have counselling after cancer treatment.
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the treating eye cancer section.
After your treatment has finished, you will have regular check ups. This is to make sure that you are recovering well and the cancer has not come back. And to check that a new cancer has not developed.
Your check ups may include
- Blood tests
- X-rays or scans
- Eye examinations
- Lumbar puncture (only for lymphoma of the eye)
You will not have all of these tests at every visit to your specialist. But you will probably have blood tests and an eye examination at each appointment.
Your doctor will ask how you feel, and whether you have had any new symptoms or are worried about anything. If your doctor thinks that there is a risk of your eye melanoma spreading to another part of your body, you may have an abdominal ultrasound scan. If you do have any new symptoms, your doctor may suggest a scan to make sure all is well.
At first, your check ups will be quite often. As time goes on, if you stay well, they will gradually become less and less frequent. You may have appointments every 6 months, then after about 5 years they may be just once a year. There is no set guideline as to how long check ups should go on for after eye cancer. Some centres see all patients regularly for life. Other centres don’t think this is necessary. It often depends on the individual person and their risk of the cancer coming back.
The main thing to remember is that if you are worried or notice any new symptoms between appointments, you must let your doctor or specialist nurse know as soon as possible. You don’t have to wait until your next appointment.
Many people find their check ups quite worrying. If you are feeling well and are getting on with your life, a hospital appointment can bring all the worry about your cancer back to you. You may find it helpful to tell someone close to you how you are feeling. If you are able to share your worries, they may not seem quite so bad.
It is quite common nowadays for people to have counselling after cancer treatment. If you would like to talk to someone outside your own friends and family, look at our general cancer organisations page for counselling organisations. To find out more about counselling, look in the counselling section of CancerHelp UK.
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