general question on herceptin

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upstream Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Hello

I am newbie here.... My sister was recently diagnosed with BC. The cancer was in stage 2A and the size of the tumor was 3cm. She underwent lumpectomy as soon as it was detected and the tumor was removed. During the surgery, the doctors also confirmed that the cancer was local and the lymph nodes were not affected.

The histopathology report indicated that the cancer was medullary carcinoma of the breast (ERPR negative and HER2+++). The doctor has prescribed the following treatment:

4.5 months of Chemotherapy (sessions every few days) followed by radiation treatment. During radiation treatment, the doctor has also prescribed herceptin.

I have a few general questions regarding her prognosis:

1. Is it a favorable thing to be HER2+++? What are the implications in terms of treatment and recurrence?

2. Would herceptin have to be taken lifelong? I ask because the reason for the treatment in this case is to prevent reoccurrence. The cancer is already removed via lumpectomy and the chemo plus radiation treatment along with herceptin is to remove all remnants of the disease.

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  • NanaA
    NanaA Member Posts: 293
    edited June 2009

    Because of herceptin now the HER2+ is not terrible.  The her2+ means these cells reproduce faster but the herceptin keeps them from reproducing.  The standard length of time for herceptin is every 3 weeks for a year.  They normally start the herceptin along with chemo and then just continue it after chemo stops.  The herceptin cuts the rate of recurrence by 50%.  Radiation usually follows the chemo and you can continue the herceptin during radiation is my understanding.  I have finished chemo and am doing the every 3 week herceptin and will be starting radiation in July. With the cancer being er- pr- tamoxifin or femara would not be beneficial.  I am ER+ PR+ and will take femara or some other AI for 5 years to help stop recurrence.   Most chemo is given either on a weekly, bi-weekly or every 3 week cycle depending on which drugs they are giving.  I did a 12 weekly dose of taxol but it also can be done DD(dose dense)  which is 4 treatments with 3 times the drug.  There are lots of possible drug combinations out there. I would be glad to answer any other questions you have if I can.  Annette

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  • Brenda_R
    Brenda_R Member Posts: 509
    edited June 2009

    I was given A/C chemo and did not start herceptin until after chemo and rads.

    So when someone gets herceptin depends on what type of chemo they get. 

    Make sure they do a MUGA scan before Herceptin starts, to get a baseline of the hearts left ejection fraction rate, and one some time after herceptin is started. Herceptin can be hard on the heart, but it's a miracle drug.

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  • Majanumba1
    Majanumba1 Member Posts: 99
    edited June 2009

    Upstream, sounds like your Sis will probabaly be on the TCH regimin. T is taxotere, C is carboplatin and the H is herceptin. Given by infusion every 3 week for 6 txs with Herceptin infused weekly on the 2 off weeks pr cycle. After chemo is completed herceptin is given every 3 weeks for a year. I finished chemo in March and am now having herceptin every 3 weeks thru December.I am nearing the end of rads and will be finished at the middle of June.

    There is so much info for you to absorb right now. Take it one day at a time and it will be all right. There is a great thread on this board under Chemo called Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin TCH, that has tons of info and great women giving lots of support. Your sister should look at it as she gets nearer to her treatment.



    Wishing you both all the best. If there are any questions I can answer I would be glad to help



    maja

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  • orange1
    orange1 Member Posts: 930
    edited June 2009

    Typically Herceptin is given during the same period as chemo (but after AC if doing the AC TH regimen) because chemo and herception given together are thought to be more effective when given sequencially.  After chemo is done, Herceptin is continued for a total of one year.  It is thought this is why results of the combined trials (NCCTG9831 and NSABB B-31) showed a greater improvement with Herceptin than the HERA trial. 

    However, medually cancer is different than the usual IDC, so this may be the reason they are treating your sister with an atypical protocol. 

    Usually Her2+ patients get either TCH (especially smaller < 2 cm, node neg) or AC TH (especially larger or node pos tumors). 

    One year is the standard treatment for cancer that has not metastiasized.

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