Echo or MUGA after finishing Herceptin?

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bluewillow
bluewillow Member Posts: 779
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Hi everyone!

I'm curious-- what is the protocol for cardiac monitoring (via Echocardiogram or MUGA scans) after completing a year of Herceptin?  I finished my year in November 2008, and my doctors have not mentioned anything about follow-up testing to measure my heart function.  I'm not having any problems, just wondering

Thanks!

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  • LittleFlower
    LittleFlower Member Posts: 405
    edited February 2009

    blue,

    i was told NO MORE MUGA'S.  I had my last one the same day of my last treatment and that was it!  Curious what other ladies have been told......

    LittleFlower

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  • BFidelis
    BFidelis Member Posts: 156
    edited February 2009

    I finished my year of h in Mar. 08, had a MUGA Jun. 08 and again last month (Jan. 09.)  Will see my onc in March (office visit only) and she made a reference to "probably another MUGA in June along with your (3 month) with us."  So that will be a full year out from end of h.  On the other hand, I'm kind of puzzled that I will have NO other 'routine' tests or scans.  Makes me wonder if they are they that confident of herceptin that the only follow up the possible SE and not the 'main event'?  (But I try not to think about it.)

    Dona Nobis Pacem,

    Beth

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  • Sassa
    Sassa Member Posts: 1,588
    edited February 2009

    I had a echocardiogram when I finished herceptin (one year ago).  My onc said I wouldn't have any more echocardiograms done as I had no loss of function during treatment.

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  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited February 2009

    I have had no further MUGAS since finishing 2 years ago.

    So far so good.

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  • tapmrv
    tapmrv Member Posts: 66
    edited February 2009

    I also did not have any follow up MUGAs after finishing the year of herceptin.

    Teresa

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  • bluedasher
    bluedasher Member Posts: 1,203
    edited February 2009

    Your ejection fraction usually comes back up after finishing Herceptin so there usually isn't a lot of reason to do follow up MUGAs.

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited February 2009

    I was told if you originally got a muga, you get them every 3 months or so during tx.  If an echo, you get them.  it is much easier to compare "like" tests.    I am just into the every 3 weeks routine, Muga in April, tx thru Sept or Oct.   And yes, heart function returns to normal once Herceptin is finished, so i have  been told.

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  • Roxy3
    Roxy3 Member Posts: 26
    edited February 2009

    I did not have an echo either when treatment finished. All my prior echos were good, so I guess they figued the final one would be too. Doing well and am a seven year survivor.

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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited February 2009

    I had a Muga a month after completing H as well as one every 3 months while on H and no others are scheduled.

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  • bluewillow
    bluewillow Member Posts: 779
    edited February 2009

    Hi everyone and thanks so much for the great information!  It sounds like I can happily cross any further heart tests off my list!!  YAY!! Thanks to all of you for being such wonderful inspirations to me!

    ((((HUGS)))) to all,

    Mary Jo

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  • nobleanna007
    nobleanna007 Member Posts: 641
    edited February 2009

    I really hope they do folow up especially since I have had problems and last one 3 months ago was still at 51% and she let me go for 3 more months today I had one and wil be very intrested in what it shows I could be doing my last H tommorrow due to only having 6 more to go which I do weekly. I started out with a nice 78% EF and A/C dropped it to 58% and H just kept dropping it. Its weird I have been feeling very tired and been having headaches may have nothing to do with it. I might just be plain tired of it all!!!!!! So if this comes back not good I will either see a cardio or ask to have another Muga in 3 months.

                                                                  Bridget

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