Her2+++ 13/17 Node +ve

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. *Also Let us know Which Stage do u rate this cancer as*

robyn33

I'm very sorry for your mom's diagnosis.  To see what kind of cancer I had, just look at my signature under this message.  I did not have vascular invasion, however, as your mom does.  I did a bilateral mx,  6 cycles of TCH, rads, and completed my year of herceptin (every three weeks).  I also now take tamoxifen and get an IV of Zometa once every 6 months (for three years) in addition to many cancer fighting supplements like tocotrienols, DIM, I3C, melatonin, green tea, etc.... 

Herceptin is a super drug that will improve your mother's prognosis considerably.  The side effects seem to be minimal (in my and many others' cases on this board).  I would say that the fact that your mom can be treated with herceptin is a blessing--she can do this!!! 

robyn33

I forgot to address the last part of your question in my response--from the staging information (you can check that area out on this website) it appears that your mom's diagnosis will be a stage III.  The oncologists will often break this stage into either a, b, or c depending on certain factors.

lkc

Hipe, Your moms stats are almost identical to mine. I was dxed at 49!\ Anyway, My tumor was smaller, but I had all the markers that your mom has and never got clean margins.I had 12 pos nodes, lymph and vascular involvement as well. If my tumor was larger I would of had the neoadjuvant chemo to shrink the tumor( chemo before surg), which is what they are  advising for your mom.If her scans show there is no more spread beyond the lymph nodes,She is stage IIIC (which was me )

It is wonderful that you are able to help your mom. It  will not be easy, but it's doable. I am " out" 4.5 yrs and am perfectly well. Your mom will be too. She needs to take one day at a time. Once she starts tx, it does get better.

Check out the stage III thread. There are lots of women on there that have her 2 disease.

HopeinGod

Thanks Linda and robyn33

Glad to hear that you are doing well and infact rocking after kicking the cancer in its butt

Just wanted to know a few things

A. Besides Herceptin how many cycles of Docetaxel / Carboplain cycles did you go through. My mom underwent docetaxel 3 cycles before surgery and 3 cycles after surgery. Some doctors are saying that she be given 6 cycles of docetaxel after surgery.

B. What kind of Food supplements do you eat after your treatment.

C. Were you able to excercise and do normal routine work during your herceptin chemotherapies

 Thanks