2 chemo's down / mass is big

Christy86m

Hi all - looking for anyone who also is (was) premonpausal, her2 positive, estrogen negative, stage 3b with nuclear grade 3. I am on a clinical trial of Taxol and Herceptin every week for 12 weeks and then A/C every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. I've only had 2 treatments and my 6cm mass certainly doesn't feel like it is shrinking (yes, I was hoping it would be gone after 2 chemo's



And if Herceptin isn't working on my Her2 stuff - how do I know? This sucks.



Any thoughts, advice or just good stories would be appreciated. I am 43.



Christy

April2

Hi Christy,



I'm a stage IV and had 11cm of tumor, but am otherwise similar to you. I did TCH every three weeks so my second treatment was spaced out longer than yours. It took several weeks before I started noticing the tumor was striking. I also did not want to get my hopes up. At the end of treatment, some scar tissue could still be felt, however my pathology revealed I had a complete response. I hope your treatment is equally as successful!

wildrumara

I have two tumors, approximately 4 cm total.......We don't have the same type of breast cancer, but I can tell you that its too soon to tell......at least that is what my MO and surgeon told me when I was at your point.  Finally at the end of four treatments (out of six) there were noticable changes on ultrasound, even though my MO couldn't tell that by her palpating it.   So, even though you don't feel like it is shrinking, it could very well by softening and filled with scar tissue, and that is considered a response.  Hopefully you will get some comments from others similar to your diagnosis, but that's my two cents!   All the best to you!  Hang in there.....

lydraimom

Hi,

I was on a clinical trial,start w AC(adriamycin,cytoxan)every 2 weeks for 4 cycles; then followedby ACH(Abraxane, Carboplatin, once a week for 3 weeks for 3 cycles and Herceptin weekly for 12 weeks.)

The first AC didn't work, my multi tumors were still growing fast into 12 to 15 cm diameter, 2 cups larger than my normal one. It went well starting the 2nd ACH. Tumors started reducing like in 2 weeks and continuely reduced to my normal size before my surgery in 3 month.Don't worry. Herceptin is a great midicine target to Her2 + give it some times. After mastec surgey,1 full year Herceptin, radiation, and reconstruction, I felt so good. That I can have family trip, back to work,like I am a brand new person with great things to do. Which I did enjoy those period of time before my relapse. Even now,my onc is still thinks tht AH is a good start for me. So far so good,after more than 30 infusions,we wiil see how long the treatment will last. I am happy with the suppourts I got here,no matter how long it's, I will try my best to take it and start my life again.

Annaanne

I was pretty similiar, over 6 years ago!  The differences were I was post menopausal (52) and had A/c first, then taxotere/herceptin -- all before surgery.  I did not have good shrinkage, and was still stage 3 at surgery.  After surgery I had rads and the rest of my year of herceptin.  And yet...here I am, 6 years later and doing great.  

I remember how much I measured shrinkage and was sure that response equalled long term remission -- but I didn't respond well to chemo (I responded much better to the A/C, by the way, than to the taxane,) and I've totally recovered.  I was also er/pr neg, grade 3, very aggressive pathology.

Hang in there.  You're in the hard stretch.  Take care.

Annaanne