Anyone had to re-do a biopsy on returning cancer?

hhfp

It makes sense that if breast cancer mets defy breast cancer chemo & targeted therapy, that perhaps the cancer evolved into another type (no longer HERs Positive) or kind (e.g. brain). In these cases getting the tumor biopsy redone could get you back on the correct cancer treatment. Thoughts?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5TLbO1wvSM&t=549s

wam

hhfp: You are correct in your thinking. I just had a biopsy for that very reason. I have weak her2 instead of very strong readings. The doctor is changing his approach to treatment based on the results.

hhfp

Yep, this makes sense as continued use of Herceptin would favor the growth of non HER2 Positive cancer. What are you switching to now?

klmpk

I'm having another colonoscopy next Wed to get more material for biopsy. My initial one/ones were very small. I haven't responded to 3 drugs in 10/11 months which is puzzling my oncologist. They worked with clean pet scan in May (NED) and since then TMs trending up. I've been on Fasoldex , then Fasoldex and Verzenio, then Xeloda.  I'm supposed to be HER+, but maybe we are not so sure now. TMs went from 82 in May to 278 last week.  It seems to be in my lymph nodes in my abdomen. Dr. still thinks it is ILC.  I'm afraid the next step is IV chemo. Crap.

Karen

hhfp

Hm... just saw a reference from May Clinic on this very topic!

https://www.mayoclinic.org/breast-cancer/expert-answers/faq-20058066

hhfp

This is a helpful illustration of the different types of cancers...

https://medigence.com/blog/hormone-receptor-and-her2-status-in-breast-cancer-patients-what-does-it-mean/