Follow up after treatment for salivary gland cancer

Why you have follow up appointments

How often are my check ups?

How often you see your specialist depends on:

• how you are feeling

• the type of treatment you have had.

Below is a general guide. Your check ups might be more or less often.

• In the first year your check ups are usually every month to 6 weeks.

• In the second year your check ups are usually every 2 months.

• In the third to fifth year your check ups are usually every 3 to 6 months.

• After the fifth year you may have yearly checks.

Sometimes you may need follow up for 10 years depending on your situation. You doctor will tell you more.

If you are worried or notice any new symptoms between appointments, you must let your doctor know as soon as possible. You don't have to wait until your next appointment.

What happens during the appointments?

You might go for check ups at the surgical outpatients after surgery. You go to the cancer clinic if you have had chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The surgeon and the oncologist might share your follow up. This means you see the surgeon sometimes and the oncologist at other times.

Your doctor or nurse examines you at each appointment. They ask how you are feeling, whether you have had any symptoms or side effects, and if you are worried about anything.

You might also have some of the following tests at some visits:

• a physical examination

• blood tests

• scans such as X-rays, CT scans, ultrasound scans and MRI scans

• dental check ups

You might need to have regular blood tests to check your thyroid hormone levels if you had external radiotherapy to your neck. This is because radiotherapy to the neck can sometimes cause low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism). This can cause ongoing tiredness.

You won’t have all these tests at every visit. Your doctor will probably do a physical examination at each appointment.

Between appointments

Support

Many people find their check ups quite worrying. A hospital appointment can bring back any anxiety you had about your cancer.

It can help to tell someone close to you how you’re feeling. Sharing your worries can mean they don’t seem so overwhelming. Many people find it helpful to have counselling after cancer treatment.

Find out more about counselling

You can also find people to share experiences with by using our online forum, CancerChat.

Find out more at CancerChat