Will Herceptin Treat Lung Nodules?

dymondhutch

I completed chemo last month and continue on Herceptin.  I had a follow up PET Scan done last week.  I was diagnosed as Stage IIIC but now have concern that I may be Stage IV.  We had a watch on numerous lung nodules that we discovered in the first PET Scan.  My oncologist was not concerned at the time and stated that if they did not change in size or disappear that would indicate that they are not cancerous.  Fortunately, I got great results back from the PET that the tumors (2) and my axcillary and supraclavicular nodes had a complete response!  I should be elated but we also discovered that the lung nodules either disappeared or got smaller which has me greatly concerned that it did metastisized to the lungs.  My oncology nurse practioner told me yesterday and now seems concerned.

Does anyone have experiences with lung nodules and Herceptin response?

REKoz

I don't think my answer will really be of help but I wanted to give some feedback which will bump the thread,

I have a lung node that showed up on first PET but has remained unchanged for almost 2 years. I do get a PET every year now (every 6 months at first)  to make sure it stays the same. My Onc. never mentioned anything about it responding to Herceptin, In my case, it is most likely from childhood pneumonia.

I really wish I had something more positive to give you. Hopefully, someone else will come along with more for you. Maybe even ask the HER2+ girls in the stage 3 thread?

I'll be thinking of you and as always, hoping for the best outcome in this ugly cancer world.

waterlady

I had mets to both lungs, and bones.  A year later and my lungs are clear.  I have two stable bone mets and other bone mets that have healed completely.  Herceptin did wonders for me.  But I also changed to a very clean diet.  Hope this helps.

MymomMylife

Hello,

 My mom had the same problem with lungs and combination of herceptin and navelbine treated her very well and lung is clear almost 2 years....Herceptin is really doing wonder...

dymondhutch

Thanks for the replies and keep more good news coming.  I am new to the board.  Just one good story can make a day better!

deenah

I was also originally diagnosed with stage IIIC.  I went through chemo, mastectomy and radiation.  I started Herceptin in July of last year, and in October 5 lung nodules popped up.  We didn't know if they were cancer or not, so we did a PET/CT in January.  At that point, instead of 5 nodules, there were "less than 50", and several lit up.  Cancer in the lungs was confirmed, and well as in supraclavicular nodes.  I had been on Herceptin this whole time, so it wasn't working for me.  I started Tykerb with Herceptin in January, and my last PET/CT (I get them every 8 weeks right now) showed the cancer had disappeared from the nodes, and was stable in my lungs.  This combination seems to be working.  I don't mean to scare you, but thought I should share my experience so you don't hang your hat on Herceptin.  How often are you getting scanned?  My UCSF onc says every 8 weeks until we have regression and know we have the right drug combo. 

I am still hoping for remission.  Fortunately the side effects on Tykerb/Herceptin are minor and my QOL is very good.  I am also switching to a very clean diet.