HERCEPTIN

heartbroken8

I AM GOING TO BE SEEING MY 3RD DR.-FIRST DR, (ONCOLOGIST) BEEN TREATING ME

HAD RADS,DOUBLE MAST. CHEMO-ON ARIMIDEX- 4 YRS - NEVER HAD A SCAN- SO DECIDED TO SEE SOMEONE ELSE- THIS DR. SAYS I SHOULD BE ON HERCEPTIN(MY ORIGINAL SURGEON AND ONCOLOGIST SAID I AM NOT A CANDIDATE- I AM FSH

NEGATIVE AND NOT ON THE PATH REPORTS CONSIDERED HERCEPTIN +

SHE ALSO WANTS ME TO HAVE A PET SCAN- WELL I AM OK WITH THAT- AND GO ON ZOMETA( LOW BONE DENSITY -OSTEOPINA)- THAT I AM OK WITH- BUT TO TAKE THAT DRUG- HERCEPTIN IF I REALLY DON'T NEED IT- ?SO I AM GOING TO FIRST  SEE HOW MY SCAN COMES OUT-( SHE HAS ME ALL SET UP FOR HEART SCAN ETC ETC)-

THEN I WILL CONSULT WITH ANOTHER DR,- DOES THAT SEEM RIGHT- THIS ISN'T A DRUG TO TAKE LIGHTLY( MY FATHER IS A CARDIOLOGIST) HE IS CONCERNED.

I ASSUME I WILL NOT BE THE FIRST NOR THE LAST TO GET A THIRD OPINION- THIS IS THE FIRST TIME - AFTER 4 YRS- I DID TRUST MY DR.( VERY HIGHLY REGARDED DR- )- BUT ALWAYS WONDERED WHY NOT A PET SCAN= SO I WENT ON TO  SOMEONE FOR

ANOTHER OPINION- AND WOW- WHAT A DIFFERENCE- SO I AM ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THE PET SCAN AND THE ROUND UP ON THE NEXT DR, 

ANY THOUGHTS 

ElaineD

If you're not HER2+ you won't get herceptin, so I have no idea why this has been suggested to you as an option. Herceptin also needs to be given at the same time/no later than 6 weeks after, chemo-yet another reason why you wouldn't qualify for the drug, as it appears you are 4 years post chemo?

Herceptin can cause damage to the heart-but patients are closely monitored (usually every 6 weeks), and if the heart function detriorates, treatment stops immediately. Recovery usually follows quickly thereafter, and treatment can once again be started. But these sound almost academic points in your case, as I really don't think you would qualify for herceptin. Why did this second doctor suggest that you would?

NancyLibrarian

I was 2.03 on the FISH and my patho report said it was equivocal.  My onc says that it is definitely HER2+. Only if the FISH is 1 or less is it not considered HER2.  Currently on hercepton, carboplatin,and taxotere.  Good luck...I am also thinking abou the PET SCAN.
Nancy