Herceptin and heart damage

Dolly2019

my mum was diagnosed two years ago with stage 4 breast cancer. She’s done the chemo and is now on long-term Herceptin. She’s been doing really well on it....

But today she was told that there had been slight changes in her heart and that they’d take her off it temporarily. They want to see if the heart improves.

Has anyone else had this on Herceptin? What happened? Can they give you treatment to improve the heart or is it just a break that you get before they put you back in it?

My mum is so upset about this news because that Herceptin was kicking that cancers arse!

Dolly

MinusTwo

I had Herceptin for a year, and yes it can damage the heart. The good news is that damage from Herceptin usually resolves once you quit the drug - unlike damage from Adriamicin or Radiation. I don't know how long a break that would be. You should fnd out from the oncologist if there is something she can take while she's on this "drug holiday". BTW - I had regular Echocardiograms all the time I wa son the drug - and my problems did resolve.

Dolly2019

hi the problem is she needs to be on this for a long time.

MinusTwo

Yes, I do understand. But there may be other drugs she can take while her body repairs the damage.

SpecialK

dolly - is your mom able to see a cardiologist, preferably one that has some experience with decreased LVEF on Herceptin? I know some have been able to stop for a period of time (length depends on whether the LVEF comes back up quickly), but others have also been put on some cardio-protective meds as well - ace inhibitors and/or beta blockers to assist the recovery. Most of the time LVEF decrease is temporary and recoverable, but I certainly understand the reluctance to pause Herceptin when it has been working well. That prompted the thought that seeing a cardiologist with familiarity might be helpful. Wishing you both the best.

Dolly2019

thank you for this response SpecialK. She goes in for a scan on Friday and they are going to let her know what’s what. I don’t think the heart has lost too much of its function. But think they’re being extra vigilant. But it’s good to hear that they might just pause the treatment and that other drugs might be used to help. My mum is 84 so I’m not sure if that makes things much more difficult.