Herceptin after bi-lateral MX

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Boscoe
Boscoe Member Posts: 52
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Met my oncologist yesterday for the first time, can't say it was the best hour I've ever spent.  In discussing options on my right breast (left breast is going, still waiting on test results to determine what will happen with the other one) and he says he still wants me on Herceptin for a year, even if both breasts are gone.  I realize it's agressive and has to be treated that way, I guess I just mistakenly thought that if I went bi-lateral I would be able to avoid it.  I'll do whatever I have to do, just curious to see if other women have had this experience.

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  • nagem
    nagem Member Posts: 353
    edited October 2008

    The danger isn't that you'll get cancer in the other breast; it's that there may be cancer cells circulating in the rest of your body. That's the rationale for chemotherapy and Herceptin, to clean up the cells that have already traveled away from the breast. So I think most oncologists would recommend Herceptin. 

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  • golfgirl
    golfgirl Member Posts: 20
    edited October 2008

    Boscoe -  Your onc is giving you advice based on best research and standard protocol for anyone that is Her2 positive - regardless of what decision you make on single or bi-lat.  SE's with Herceptin are minimal.    Deciding on single vs bi-lat is very much a personal decision.  I chose bi-lat at first because I wanted to greatly minimize the chance of ever having to go through this again and later found out I was BRCA2 so it turned out to definitely be the right choice for me.  Everyone is different and you need to make the best choice for your own risk tolerance and comfort. 

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  • sns
    sns Member Posts: 60
    edited October 2008

    I think anymore if you are HER2+, herceptin is pretty much a standard treatment - regardness of what else is done treatment wise. Like golfgirl said - everyone has to make their own decisions as to the treatment options they are willing to deal with. Personally, I found herceptin to be easy.  I also went with as aggressive a treament plan as possible (bilateral, 6 rounds chemo and a year of herceptin).

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2008

    I agree with all, regardless of type of surgery OR adjuvant treatment, if you are Her2+, herceptin is a must.  I've been on it for almost five years.  It is a piece of cake compared to other treatments.  Thank God there is herceptin....it has been a life-saver for me..literally!

    You can do it!

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  • Boscoe
    Boscoe Member Posts: 52
    edited October 2008

    Thank you everyone for the replies, and yes-I will be taking herceptin.  I guess I was just curious as to how people reacted on it, and it's good to know everyone did so well with it.

    SNS, your avatar pic is hysterical-what is on your cats head?

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  • sns
    sns Member Posts: 60
    edited October 2008

    Hi Boscoe - It's a grapefruit peel. Actually not my cat (If I tried to put that on my cat's head, I doubt I would survive the experience.

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  • Mocity
    Mocity Member Posts: 451
    edited October 2008

    I am 5 weeks out of my bi-lateral due to DCIS in my left breast.  My pathology came back with clear nodes but a very smalll piece of IDC.  So now my onc is recommending Taxol + Herceptin for 12 weeks (weekly) and then Herceptin for a year (every 3 weeks).

    Boscoe, are you doing Chemo with the Herceptin?  I am so scared of the Chemo.

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  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916
    edited October 2008

    I have never heard of Anyone getting Herceptin for DCIS. (DCIS is not treated With Chemo or Herceptin)

    Do you have Invasive cancer & it is just not noted on your Signature??

    Then I would understand Herceptin.

    Pam

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  • Mocity
    Mocity Member Posts: 451
    edited October 2008

    I can't get my signature to list both DCIS and IDC.  I had DCIS and during my BLM they found a very small (.4cm) of IDC in the same breast.  Nodes were claear but they are suggesting the Taxol+Herceptin just in case.

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  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916
    edited October 2008

    Hi CristlC,

      Yep- I remembered that you have IDC- So I do understand why you would be a candidate for herceptin.  But was wondering if Boscoe has IDC  also.

    You can change your Signature to IDC- less then 1 cm- since you are now considered IDC not DCIS : (

    Or you can write your own signature line Under Edit My Profile...then Signature & there you can write your DX (Like I did ) And Include your DCIS & IDC.

    Pam

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  • Boscoe
    Boscoe Member Posts: 52
    edited October 2008

    CristlC-haven't gotten that far yet as to know if chemo will be given.  I was only diagnosed 3 weeks ago, and have been in a "holding pattern" due to waiting from the insurance company to okay the BRAC testing.  They did (finally), but was should have taken 5 days took nearly 2 weeks.  Had MRI today, they are checking the right breast, because I have to make the call on what to do with that side.  Well, that is if the MRI is negative..if it's positive it takes the decision out of my hands.

    So, to answer yours and Deja's question-right now I have initial diagnosis of DCIS, but the way I understood the oncologist was he would still consider giving me the herceptin, but that it was something he wanted to discuss with his colleages.  If invasion/+ lymph nodes were found then yes, chemo would ge given.

     I hope that makes sense...I read up when I was first diagnosed and then found myself needing to stop reading so much because it just freaked me out even worse. 

    CristlC, when will you start chemo?  Maybe we can help each other thru it.  I spend alot of time in bed with the laptop these days, I'll offer a shoulder of support regardless if I go thru it or not.  I had read alot on the chemo thread and while definitely NOT a walk in the park, most seem to say it's doable.  I'm nearly to the point I don't even care anymore, I'm just ready to make a gameplan and GO with it, the waiting is wreaking havoc on my nerves!

    Sorry for rattling so long..

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  • Boscoe
    Boscoe Member Posts: 52
    edited October 2008

    I've got to get my labrador's picture on here..everyone's avatars are just too cute!

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  • Mocity
    Mocity Member Posts: 451
    edited October 2008

    Well, I am going for a 2nd opinion at MD Anderson next week.    Then make my decision and then start.  My Onc said I need to start 4-8 weeks post surgery and next week is week 6.  I am hoping my second opinion doesn't cause more confusion.

    Yes the waiting is awful!!  Thanks for offering your shoulder of support.  I can use all I can get.  I am a wreck.  Let me know if I can help you along as well.  I had my bi-lateral mastectomy Sept 16th so I am five weeks out.  So I have been through that part of it.

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