Biopsy for Er/PR & Herp 2 status?

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Monique42
Monique42 Member Posts: 105
edited June 2014 in Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer

I;m from Canada and I was diagnosed with bone mets to skull, shoulders rib cage and lower back and some spots in the liver in June 2008.  I had asked if they will do a biopsy to see what is what. My onc said they don't do biopsy of the liver here.  What if I have a different ER/PR and herp 2 status? I have had breast ca in 2001 and was ER +, PR+ and Herp2+ then.  I have had a new primary in 2005 in the other breast.  I didn't even thought to ask then if my status has changed.  They are still treating me as if I'm all ER/PR ++ ?????? Now I'm on taxotere every 3 week and Pemindronate(bone builder) and herceptin.  I will only have a scan probably in Sept?? Does everyone have a biopsy to see if it is different?  I've also posted in the Mets section, but I'm curious if they do this in Canada as they do in the States. I find the States are more advance in their treatments.

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  • lisa39
    lisa39 Member Posts: 255
    edited August 2008

    Sorry Monique, I don't have an answer to your question.  Where do you live?  Surely they would have biopsied your new primary BC in 2005?  I'd go back to the oncologist and ask a few more questions.  At least your mind will be at ease then.  Best of luck with your treatment.

    Lisa 

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited August 2008

    Monique, I agree with Lisa.  Your second primary in 2005 could have had a different ER/PR/HER2 status but it certainly should have been tested at the time.  Do you have a copy of that pathology report?  If the hormone status was the same as your first BC, then you know'll what you are and I wouldn't think that any additional testing would be necessary now.  But if it was different, then there may be a reason to do further testing now, to understand what's driving the mets.

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  • Monique42
    Monique42 Member Posts: 105
    edited August 2008

    Thank you for replying,

         I live in Winnipeg. I have only a copy of the 1st pathology, but not the second one. Reading the 1st one always made me sick inside, so I didn't want the second one. I know I should be asking the Onc more questions, but I just say " I'm fine, I'm doing great Blah, Blah Blah!!!!" My DH comes with me and thank goodness for that. I can't go alone anymore. As you can tell, I find this at times very hard to accept.  My heart beats so loud in the office I can't hear a thing when he  is talking. I always ask my husband " ok what did he say???  "  Anyway, I will ask my husband to ask my questions, but I thinks sometimes he freezes too.

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  • lisa39
    lisa39 Member Posts: 255
    edited August 2008

    Hi again Monique,

    God, I know how you feel.  I feel sick inside when I look at my path. report too.  There is no doubt, having BC is probably the most stressful thing you'll ever go through in your life.  But living in Canada where we have a public health care system you have to be your own advocate.  That's really the only way to make sure you're receiving the best treatment available to you.  In other words, you have to find a way to get over your fears, look at those reports and get online to educate yourself. Are they going to do radiation on your bone mets?  Are they going to try Tykerb on you?  Are there any clinical trials you could be eligible for?  I know it's hard, but this is your life we're talking about.  I would also recommend that you try to get into a support group ASAP.  Sometimes it's the only place where we can drop the "I'm fine" facade and speak honestly about our feelings.  It will help you to know you're not alone. 

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  • Monique42
    Monique42 Member Posts: 105
    edited August 2008

    Thanks Lisa, I know I will eventually get over the fear, but it's so fresh still. I think my Onc will schedule me for another CT/Bone scan in Sept.  They probably won't do radiation until I do have pain, which I really don't have (*only flare up after the chemo treatments which on the Met board they tell me that it is a good sign). I go to the Metastatic form alot and the girls there are also helping me conquer my fears.  Because I've only had 2 treatments, my onc is seeing if this helps first otherwise I would imagine we would try something else.. If this treatment works then I will continue with it to see if it shrinks the tumors and stop the progression in my bones.

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