Any HER@+++, ER-PR-ve, Node -ve doing FEC100*6 cycles ?

mitu_om_Pray

Hi,

Our oncologist advised to go for FEC 100 * 6 cycles followed by Herception for my Mom's diagnosis.

She has completed 3 FEC 100 cycles and has 3 more to go.

Our Onc has left the decision to us whether to go for herceptin for a year or not?

Would like to know if anyone has undergone this chemo regimen (FEC 100 * 6 cycles) followed by Herceptin and if so, what has been the prognosis so far?

Please also provide your views on the efficacy of this treatment option.

TammyLou

I took FEC (higher dose, fewer cycles).

I also took four rounds of taxotere.

All with concurrent Herceptin (totalling 52 weeks)

In January 2005, I was diagnosed with stage 3c breast cancer, fixed matted lymph nodes wrapped around my chest wall.  Inoperable.

In September 2005, I had surgery.  No evidence of disease.  Pathologically complete response to chemotherapy.

I currently remain cancer free...so far, so good.

Tammy Lou

sns

I did 6FEC and a year of Herceptin. I was diagnosed July of 2006 and finished the herceptin a year ago. I also remain cancer free. I would absolutely recommend doing the herceptin - after the chemo, it's easy and makes a huge difference in recurrence rates.

mitu_om_Pray

Thanks Tammy and SNS. These are really encouraging results. I was a bit confused as to why our Onc referred this particular chemo regimen whereas nowadays the typical regimen I have seen docs recommend is TCH. This gives a lot of confidence.

Have a couple of questions on Herceptin

1) During your Herceptin tenure were there any side-effects apart from the Heart LEVF related?

2) What precautions one needs to take while being on Herceptin? Can one continue working, full time, go joggin around/ exercising?

3) We live in India where people are still not using Herceptin that much as the costs are very high even with mediclaim insurance cover? What I am hearing is that say after every 4 cycles the 5th cycle can be free.

Is the same pattern also available in your countries?

Best Regards,

Abhi

TammyLou

I did not have any heart effects during any phase of treatment.

The primary side effects that your mother will experience are from the FEC.  Stomach upset is quite common.  Also, fatigue and hair loss.

I did not have any side effects attributed to Herceptin, particularly as a stand alone agent.

There are no precautions (in terms of physical activity) with Herceptin.  It is possible that the nurses will give your mother benedryl with her infusions.  This is because there is a possibility of allergic type reactions and the benedryl is prophylaxis.

The Herceptin is very expensive here, also.  Fortunately, my health insurance paid for it.

Tammy Lou

sns

I didn't get the heart effects either. I had muga scans every three months and heart function only dropped from 62 to 59 during my year of herceptin. I think that is one of the major advantages of FEC over AC (which was the standard treatment at that time), is that the FEC is easier on the heart so you are less likely to have the heart problems that are more often seen if doing AC and herceptin.

Side effects from the herceptin were minimal. Other than during the first infusion, I didn't receive benedryl and never had any problems with allergic reactions. The main side effects I had were a headache for a couple of days after the infusion and my nails got very brittle. I started a new job when I was 4 months into my year of herceptin and didn't have any problems combining work or any other activities while doing herceptin. And there were times when I had to schedule the herceptin in the morning before going in to work. 

I agree, the cost is very high, but I was lucky in that my insurance covered most of it. 

mitu_om_Pray

Hi, Am responding to this after quite some time. My Mom's now done with her 6 FEC cycles and as both of you had suggested the only side effect from the chemo was hair loss and brittle nails..plus she get neutropenic twice during this period and had to be hospitalized, but other than that Neulastin worked quite well to maintain the blood counts.

 She will be embarking on her Herceptin from April and we are hoping for the best results there.

 Just wanted to check is there any need to get any PET Scans done before we commence Herceptin in order to establish a baseline. Our Onc is of the opinion that no other scans should be done in between as it will only add to confusion.

 What is your take ?

mitu_om_Pray

Hi All,

My mum has finally completed her full course of recommended treatment cycle.

 1) 6 FEC cycles

2) 1 year of Herceptin.

 The Dr. has not advised her to go for a PET scan as yet. Any suggestions on what should the next steps be?

libraylil

Newly diagnosed (2 weeks) I met with the surgeon Thursday.  I meet the ocon Monday.  Wrote in my notes Thursday that the surgeon mentioned 1 year of Herceptin after surgery.  Can you explain to me how often this would take place?  Is it weekly, (sorry if this is a dumb question)

Beth

suemed8749

Hi Beth - Sorry you have to join us here, but it's a great place for support and advice.

I was dx in January of 2008 and finished my year of Herceptin in April 2009. I had it with chemo (Taxol and Carboplatin) every 3 weeks, then after 6 cycles of this chemo cocktail (more commonly called TCH on this site), I had an IV infusion of Herceptin alone every 3 weeks. This seems to be the most common schedule, although some others on here have done a lower dose weekly. (By the way, 2 1/2 years after diagnosis, I'm doing fine.)

There are no dumb questions! You're experiencing a huge learning curve right now, and we're here to help you through surgery and treatment.

Wishing you the best -

Sue

Rubyluby

Hi there,

 I had the same diagnosis and went through the same treatment - 6 cycles of FEC and am still receiving my year of Herceptin. So far so good!

Lucy 

ElaineD

Have the recent posters noticed that this thread is dated 2008?!

mitu_om_Pray

Beth - IN my mum's case, she first received 6 cycles of FEC every 3 weeks and then it was followed by Herceptin for 17 cycles every 3 weeks.

Beyond that the Doc has recommended to get health checkups done every 6 weeks.

imatthew

My wife's diagnosis is ER- / PR- and HER2+++.  She hasn't had surgery yet, but the MRI didn't indicate any spread to the Lymph nodes and there's no evidence of spread to any internal organs.

I assume her follow-on regiment will include Herceptin and perhaps FEC.  I'm wondering if this will induce menopause?  She's almost 50.

Thanks for any answers. 

Rubyluby

Imatthew, I had a similar diagnosis and FEC followed by Herceptin and it sure as hell induced the menopause in me! And I was only 42 at diagnosis. This is no bad thing though. Even in hormone negative cancers like mine and your wife's, hormones play a role and the less you have circulating in you, the better the chance of surviving without a recurrence. Vigorous exercise (at least 4 hours a week) has been proven to reduce recurrence risk as well.  Best wishes, Lucy