Her/2 testing and recurrence

good

Hello, 5 and a half years ago I was dx with Her/2 pos, 3+, ER neg 3.3cm tumor in RT breast.  5/20 nodes were pos.  I had the a lumpectomy followed by chemo and radiation along with Herceptin for a year.  I recently had my 5.5 year check up with the usual blood work and along with the Her/2 test this time.  All results were normal with no physical symptoms.  The Her/2 test was elevated from a normal of 15 to 28.  It had not been tested since the beginning of all the treatments.  Liver enzyme and tumor marker is normal.  I had a Pet/CT scan which also was normal and have to repeat the Her/2 test in 3 months.  I'm wondering how often the Her/2 test is usually done as a follow up in years after treatment.  The doctor said if the next test is not elevated, and there are no symptoms, there would be nothing to do.  Just wonder if anyone else had had elevated Her/2 levels with no other evidence of cancer?  It seems like with a high level, it's just a matter of time before there is trouble again.  Is there any treatment to stop the increase of the protein other than Herceptin.  I wonder if it has now stopped working for me?

navygirl

good, I wish I could say but this is the first I've heard of an HER/2 test being done as a part of follow up? My Onc never said anything to me about it and as far as I know I've not been tested since my original diagnosis labs. I hope someone else comes along with some knowledge of this that can answer your questions. 

Hugs my friend... 

1rarebird

Me too.  This is the first I have heard of a Her2 test done as post treatment screening.  I thought that the FISH or IHC tests were the only way the Her2 status could be determined and those are done on actual samples taken from the tumor.  So if the tumor has been removed, how could new testing be performed?

bird

1rarebird

OK--it looks like you are talking about the Serum Her2 blood test, a.k.a. Her2 ELISA, per our Moderators.  I need to learn more about it.

bird

GramE

I too am especially interested in a her2 test, other than with an actual tissue sample.   This is the first I have heard or read about it.   Details please.   

Frankie_

Me too-wanting to hear more details!

Frankie

good

I guess that I can't give more details other than those in my original post.  The original tissue sample did give the Her /2 dx.  I'm talking about a blood test 5.5 years later that is showing it to be high but with no other symptoms.

Good

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swimangel72

I found this info on Her2support.org which seems to indicate that this blood test is give to women who have Mets..........still I'll ask my onc in July if they can give it to early stagers like myself:

http://her2support.org/her2-breast-cancer/tests-a-treatments/serum-her2

carcharm

I work at the Cleveland Clinic and emailed Dr. Budd who is doing research in this test there and asked if it would be appropriate for me as a Stage I and he said no. It is only somewhat reliable for patients with mets. It is in the trial stages for advanced breast cancer.