MUGA scan initial numbers

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weety
weety Member Posts: 1,163
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Hi, I'm just wondering what everyone else's initial numbers on their MUGA scans were before they started Herceptin treatment, and how they did as treatment went on. 

My initial # is only 63%.  Is that too low for being 38 years old and thin?  I am worried I don't have much to play around with if it can only go down to the 50's.

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

    I think 50 is the boundary of normal but they might let you go a bit below that. The women in the BCIRG 006 study started out with an average between 65 and 66. For TCH the average went down to around 63 during treatment and by about a year and a half after starting chemo it was between 64 and 65.. Remember also that it isn't an exact test and even without chemo readings will vary from day to day for a given person and different techs and machines can also introduce some variation.

    I started out at 65 and my last result (about 7 months after starting TCH) was 61. I'll have another test this week (10 months after starting). And I'm 57 and not thin. 

    If it does go down, they can stop the Herceptin and it will come up again. Then they may start it again depending on what you and your onc decide. Some here have done that without further problems. In Europe they get good results with just 18 weeks of Herceptin and there is a Finnish study that showed even 9 weeks gets a lot of the benefit. My onc told me not to worry if we had to stop after 18 weeks, but I've made it 10 months so far with only a slight decrease. My first two MUGAs during chemo were only a percent or two different from the baseline.

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  • Beach
    Beach Member Posts: 127
    edited August 2009

    I'm 45 and have a small frame but did gain almost 10lb during chemo.  My tx was 3 x FEC, 3 x Taxotere + Herceptin. Prior to starting FEC, my muga result was 59.  Second muga was done just after my first Tax and Herceptin and it was 57.....third one will be done in Sept.  "E", or Epirubicin, is called the "red devil" and can be very hard on the heart causing permanent damage, so I'm both surprised and happy with my results so far.  You will be watched very closely during Herceptin tx, plus any changes in LVEF caused by Herceptin are reverseable once you are off of it.  If you are put on the TCH regimen, TC does not affect the heart so your only concern would be the Herceptin.  You're young and thin.....Herceptin is our miracle drug......I think it's worth the risk!

    All the best to you,

    Sandy 

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

    Weety911~ I do not get MUGA's but I get echo's and my first echo was 56 and I am 32, was fairly fit (used to run) and they where not concerned. 

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  • christine1953
    christine1953 Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2009

    HI TO ALL., I'M NEW TO THIS SITE. MY MUGA IN FEB., BEFORE TCH WAS 75%. AFTER 3 TX. OF HERCEPTIN IT WENT TO 63%, STILL NORMAL. NOW AFTER 6 TX,(CHEMO DONE!!!) MY MUGA 49%.I GO TOMARROW FOR HERCEPTIN, 11 MORE TX. TO GO.SO I"M NOT SURE WHAT HE WILL SAY. KINDA SCARED EITHER WAY. DON"T WANT HEART FAILURE , BUT DON'T WANT TO NOT GET THE BENIFIT OF HERCEPITIN  . THANKS FOR LISTENING. CHRIS ...GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF US

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

    I was 42 years old when I started last year.   I am athletic build and fit.    My initial muga was 62.  It went down to 60 after TCH chemo and then my most recent was 62.   I have been on Herceptin since May 1, 2008.   I started taking CoQ10 Enzyme and I think it helps!!  

    Jennifer

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