MD Anderson

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chicagomom
chicagomom Member Posts: 35
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Hi

I am wondering if any ladies with cancer like mine were treated recently at MD Anderson??  If so, what was your treatment?  I am in Chicago and getting a second opinion on treatment and wonder if it is worth the trip to TX for a 3rd opinion....

Thanks

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  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
    edited October 2009

    Your DX is like mine was... but yours is better.

    My tumor was 3cm..grade 3 and I had at least 3 nodes positive.

    I do not think three opinions are necessary with Her2. There is pretty basic protocol with us. And it works VERY WELL!

    If you want to share the two opinions you got... I will be more than happy to help you with your choice.

    I would never go without the Adriamycin...if it is still offered.

    Anyway... I will help if you want it.

    I am done with all treatments.... Chemo 1st of course... then surgery.. then rads....

    Laura

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  • chicagomom
    chicagomom Member Posts: 35
    edited October 2009

    I had a double mastectomy with nipple sparing and immediate recons on 10-9.  The first oncologist said I should have 18 weeks (6 treatments) of TCH - continue with Herceptin for a full year.  When I am done with chemo I am supposed to have 6 weeks of radiation.  I thought if I had a mast then I would avoid radiation???

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  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
    edited October 2009

    So they do not have you doing Adriamycin ... I have seen many her2 gals do the TCH route.. with Herceptin.. and Herceptin follows for a year.

    If you have positive nodes.. even 2 or three... they are gonna want you to do rads with a mast anyway. As Her2 is too aggressive not to.

    I had rads... then 12 weeks later.. had my implants put in.

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  • NoSunshine
    NoSunshine Member Posts: 101
    edited October 2009

    Hi jkwick74:

    I am currently being treated at MD Anderson/Houston with a HER2 (ER/PR negative) tumor and the recommended treatment was chemo first (Taxotere, Carboplatin & Herceptin) with herceptin continuing for 1 year or more.  The TCH treatment is for six rounds every three weeks.  I will then have surgery and then rads.  My tumor was 9cm+ and they found a few spots on my bones but feel that they will be gone after first round of chemo.  Let me know if you need any other information.

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  • chainsawz
    chainsawz Member Posts: 3,473
    edited October 2009

    I don't have any personal experience with MD Anderson, but I have read posts from others who really love it and receive great care.  I really like the idea that your oncologist will ONLY deal with breast cancer....he\she is a specialist in that particular cancer.  Most oncologists treat all cancers from different patients - they don't specialize in just one type of cancer.  I would go there myself, but I have read they don't accept patients with brain mets....only for clinical trials...darned!  Best of luck to you!!  lisa

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  • rose847
    rose847 Member Posts: 27
    edited October 2009

    I also live in the Chicago area. I am now in the middle of decision hell about treatments. My BC is different in that I did not have any positive nodes with original diagnosis and with my recurrance. My tumor was small at only 3mm local recurrance. First time around it was 5mm, had lumpectomy and radiation with no treatment. They had a 10mm clearance after lumpectomy and it came back in the same spot even with whole breast radiation.

    My oncologist of 5 yrs says again no treatment because no definitive studies for small tumor, hormone negative, her2+. I went to see more oncologists and now have 4 different opinions. 2 no to treatment( but the one says wouldn't hurt to think about it), one says TCH and one says Taxol/Herceptin. All oncologists I seen where strictly breast oncologist specialists.

    I did find it interesting that the non profit hospital oncologists said no when the for profit oncology clinics said yes.

    Yes, it helps to get as many opinions as possible but it does not help with decision making if they don't agree. Yet, I am thankful for options and am now going to do my homework to see what will be right for me.

    I do have some info(oncologists opinion) that was given to me about the latest Anderson study about small tumor her2+ needing to be treated with chemo/herceptin.

    Doctors I asked said that the study had all kinds of BC patients lumped into the study. Her2 made up only 10% of the patients and contained both hormone positive and hormone negative. They did not report if the hormone+ were taking tamoxifen. The study also included triple negative patients. So, 3 of the 4 docs I talked to were not happy with the amount of PR the report received.

    I believe that Chicago has some of the best hospitals to get opinions. As with my case they don't always agree but at least I have options. Good luck and hugs during this difficult time.

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  • orange1
    orange1 Member Posts: 930
    edited October 2009

    Hi Melody-

    If it were me with a local recurrence of Her2+ after no adjuvant treatment the first time, I would be trying to get Herceptin any way I could (TH or TCH).  Good luck with your decision.

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