Queries on Her2 positive breast Cancer

HopeinGod

My mother 50, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

ER-/PR-/Her2+++

She was given 3 chemotherapies before Surgery (Docetaxel + Epirubicin). Doctors then performed MRM.on Right breast.

Surgery Pathology Report Summary

Max Tumour size 7cm, Grade 3 IDC tumour with 13/17 nodes positive.

Distance to all margin > 1cm

High Grade DCIS present

Extranodal spread is present. Vascular Invasion Present.

Her NPI = 7.4 which falls under poor prognostic group.

We are really worried and very unsure of the kind of cancer this is. Doctors have prescribed post surgery 3 chemos with Herceptin followed by radiation. Doctors have prescribed 3 weekly herceptin (6mg / Kg body weight) for 1 year.

In case anyone has gone through this please help us. Thanks

coonie

Dear Hope

Her2+ breast cancer has come a long way since Herceptin. It's a wonderful drug. I completed a year of Herceptin last January and didn't have any problems. There are MANY MANY on these boards who have had Herceptin, or are currently taking Herceptin with great results!!! Just wanted to send you and your mom a hug and let you know there's tons of support here when you need it.

Hugs and Prayers!!

CoolBreeze

I am HER2+++ as well, and am the same age as your mom.  I had multifocal cancer, many tumors both DCIS and IDC, grade 3.  I am fortunately enough so that I did not have lymph involvement though.  I had a mastectomy first and will startt chemo this month and then a year of herceptin.

There is a movie about herceptin if you are interested.  It's called Living Proof.  Be warned, it's a cheesy, badly acted made for Lifetime movie but it does illustrate what a great drug hercepin is, and how lucky we all are to be getting it.

Good luck to your mom!

suemed8749

Another Her2+ checking in. I was 54 when dx in Jan of 2008 - right mastectomy - 6 treatments of Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin, then Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year after that. I had a PET/CT scan this summer - negative.

I had very few side effects while on Herceptin alone. The doctors will monitor her heart since a very rare side effect is heart damage (which seems to correct itself when Herceptin is stopped.)

Best wishes to your mom - she's lucky to have you providing support right now.

TammyLou

(Let's face it...just about anybody with more regional cancer than me is beyond the stage 3C...ER/PR neg HER2+++ diagnosed in January 2005...still kickin')

YUP.

I am probably still breathing because of Herceptin...In an article written in October 2004, an MD Anderson doc was quoted as saying "we are giving hope to the hopeless."

YUP.

Tell Mom to hang in there.  It's going to be tough treatment, no doubt about it...and, I am also glad that you are around to help her.

Please keep us posted.

tl

TammyLou

P.S.  Her2+++ cancers are very commonly big and ugly.  There is a special HER2 board...google it if you're interested.

HopeinGod

Thanks to you all for your wishes.

Mother has been advised 18 shots of herceptin every 3 weeks besides normal radiation and chemotherapy.

Another problem which I face is extremely high cost of herceptin. I didn't realise that it would be so expensive. Total cost is coming out to be $36,000. In a country like India where per capita annual income is $400, forget affordable this treatment is beyond reach of Indians.

Is there any other cheaper version of this medicine available. Or any other way to get it at Indian affordable price? Thanks