herceptin after progression

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marieibrahim
marieibrahim Member Posts: 188
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

my mother was dignosed with mbc .her tumor began to progress on herceptin ,she switched to gemzar(not xeloda) and tykerb.i had another opinion that herceptin should be retained after progression with other chemo better than to switch to tykerb,any help please???????????????

marie

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited July 2009

    Marie~ There is a stage IV portion of the board and you would get a better response there.  ((Bighugs))

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  • orange1
    orange1 Member Posts: 930
    edited July 2009

    I have read that even after progression on Herceptin, women w/MBC do better if they continue Herceptin along with Chemo or other treatments.  I believe that staying on Herceptin for life is the standard of care for Her2+ MBC. I believe tykerb and Herceptin are often given together.

    If you don't get many responses on this board, you may want to post the same question on the Stage IV board.  There may be more women with MBC woho check out that board regularly.

    Best wishes for you and your mom. 

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  • JeninMichigan
    JeninMichigan Member Posts: 2,974
    edited July 2009

    I didn't have progression while on Herceptin but having MBC I will take Herceptin for life.  Right now they have added Tykerb... not because of progression but just because my onc. is very aggressive.  Tykerb protects the brain and from what I am told, kills the b/c cells from the inside out while Herceptin kills the cells from the outside.  They are starting to use the two drugs together with good results.   I don't like the Tykerb.  I am on a two week break right now and loving it... I don't want to go back.  But, it isn't anything like regular chemo treatments.

    Jennifer

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  • marieibrahim
    marieibrahim Member Posts: 188
    edited July 2009

    thanks ,it is my first time on the discussion board ,it is moving to have someone to share your worries with,big hug ,god bless you all

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  • mmm5
    mmm5 Member Posts: 1,470
    edited July 2009

    Marie, How  long has your Mother been on Herceptin? Was she dxed with stage 4 from the get go? Herceptin is usually always used with progression per my Onc just combined with Tykerb or Gemzar or some others as well. Many times it takes a bit for the Herceptin to work. Sometimes if there are several tumors they may be both Her2 positive and Her2 negative so must be treated as such.

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  • marieibrahim
    marieibrahim Member Posts: 188
    edited July 2009

    dear mmm5

    my mother stayed on herceptin for about 15 months ,including about 4 months on herceptin alone,she did not receive herceptin in the adjuvant setting on2003,would that (15 months)mean a short period and imply a less possible benefit from retaining herceptin,i dont know,i m trying to stay positive because when i am strong ,so would she.thanks

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  • alicia_en_madrid
    alicia_en_madrid Member Posts: 149
    edited December 2011

    Oh, Linda, I am sorry. It is really difficult to see someone you love going through this and especially hart when you also has the same disease. I hope taxol works for your mom.

    Stay strong (as much as you can) and come here if you need us

    I hate breast cancer so much...

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