H2 positve-left breast -Chemo before surgery

dtsmith68

I need to talk to anyone that has had similar situation PLEASE!!!! I was diagnosed Feb2013 with h2 positive breast cancer 2.5 cm tumor, sentinel node biopsy was positive in 3 nodes. 6 rounds of TCH, lumpectomy and removed nodes on left side after chemo, tumor was 3.5cm and 2 of 12 nodes were positive. My question is what should I do next, my oncologist is recomending a trial with eribulin for 6 rounds, then radiation. My question has anyone been in similar situation and what was done and results, I am so scared, I want to do the best for me and my family. Please respond....

melmcbee

Dtsmith, I dont have any answers. I just wanted to send you hugs and bump your thread up so someone who can help would see it.

dtsmith68

thank yoiu so much,

encyclias

dtsmith, maybe others might recognize eribulin better by the brand name, Halaven.  A quick look at wikipedia says it is designed to be used after a breast cancer patient has previously had two other chemo drugs.  I'm sorry I can't help you more, but send my best wishes and prayers.

christina0001

Hello and welcome, although I am sorry you have a need to be here. I wanted to suggest that you check out the HER2+ subforum here: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/80. 

I am also HER2+ and my tumor was 2.6cm but I had no node involvement. I also had TCH; I'm not familiar with the drug your oncologist is recommending but that does not mean much, I am not an oncologist! I will also suggest that if you are unsure, please consider getting a second opinion. I have gotten second opinions a couple of times and it has been very helpful.

rozem

just a suggestion that you could ask your onc about...how about following up with an anthracycline?  some of us have had this as our first line of treatment.  You had TCH which does not have an anthracycline - some of us have AC-TH or FEC-TH - the "A" and "E" are what is different from your treatment.  Some oncs dont like to use this as these regimes are more cardio toxic (esp when combined with H) but since you didnt respond that well to TCH the risk may be worth the benefit   I am not familiar with the trial drug.  If you are hormone positive you will be put on tamox or an AI and this will benefit you aswell

dtsmith68

Thank you all sooooo much, I am going back to the oncologist this morning at 8 am for my hercepton treatment, I am going to ask about other options or to get a second opinion. again thanks for the replies and keep them coming for anyone else who has had a similiar experience.....

mom2twins34

Hi dtsmith,

Just chiming in as a followup to rozem's comment about anthracyclines.  I also had chemo before surgery and was on the AC+T regimen.  It was followed by surgery when my tumors had shrunk enough, then more T(Taxol), radiation, and then Herceptin.  

My treatment began just over 3 years ago, though, so maybe they consider eribulin to be a better way to go these days?  I can say that the A&C combo was the most difficult segment of the chemo for me -- and I hear this a lot.  It was also hard on my heart.  So maybe your oncologist has this in mind, too?

I think you are right to ask for a second opinion if you don't feel fully comfortable with what your onc is suggesting.  It makes it easier if you feel as though you understand why they have chosen a particular treatment -- and if your oncologist can't give you an explanation, there may be another doctor out there who can.

Sending my warmest thoughts your way...

dtsmith68

Update, thank everyone for all the information, keep it coming. I went to see oncologist yesterday and asked alot of questions. I asked him for another possible option and he said if he were going to use another chemo it would be Navelbine single agent. Also I am scheduled for a ct and pet scan for Thursday, originally scheduled for today but the insurance company hasnt approved yet which is very frustrating. Is there anyway to put pressure on insurance company to stop these kinds of hold ups.... I also scheduled to get a second opinion on Monday at Vanderbilt to see what they say. Any advice and information is appreciated.

Thank you everyone....

Diane

mom2twins34

Glad you were able to ask your questions, Diane.

For insurance company pressure, my only suggestion would be to have the hospital/center social worker contact them.  *Sometimes* they can push things along.  My oncologist has even called himself before when there are pressing issues & that seems to work fairly well.

Sending warm thoughts for your Pet CT... 

dtsmith68

UPDATE: Went to Vanderbilt for second opinion today and overall was pleased, But as for the treatment I have had to this point they pretty much concured with, the route they suggested going forward was to use Pertuzumab if they can get it approved with insurance, so we are thinking hard tonight on what route to take, having a pet scan tomorrow. Anyone with experience with Pertuzumab?

Thanks so much to everyone for your replies...

Diane

dtsmith68

Update: I have got approval to do the pretuzamab and it is to start this Monday8/12/2013, one concern is that my white blood cell count has not come back up since surgery, has anyone else had this problem? Has anyone been treated with pertuzamab?

Thanks for the help...

Diane