Stage 3a IDC, HER2 +

cdelaughter · December 2009

Three weeks ago my mom went to the Dr. because of a lump that had been growing in her breast for about two months. She assumed it was a cyst because she has had so many in the past. Three days later she found out that is was a big, fast growing tumor. She had had a mammogram only 6 months prior to this. Anyway, they scheduled surgery and removed her one breast and lymph nodes the following week. The tumor was 6.3 in size. It had spread to her nodes. Her path report said that she is ER negative, PR negative, but HER2 positive. She was diagnosed with stage 3a cancer. Her Dr.'s told her that she will have "The red devil" chemo treatment for three months. She will go for chemo every other week and then she will have to go in to take Hercptin once a week for a year.

I am so very scared. I haven't done a lot of research but from what I have read her being ER-, PR- and HER2 + does not sound very good at all. What is the mortality rate? I am also confused on what is the "Red Devil". I can't seem to find much about it online. Has anyone had this cocktail of chemo?

KerryMac · December 2009

HER2+ used to have a poor prognosis, but that is before Herceptin. Someone who knows more will be along soon i am sure with more details, but herceptin has really turned things around.

everyminute · December 2009

Red devil = Adriamycin - which is a type of chemo. It used to make people very ill and it is red (hence the name) but anti-nausea meds are much better these days and most of us who have had that same chemo cocktail have done very well. A little car sicky feeling but not the non stop puking of the past (at least for most of us). I did not throw up at all.

As far as mortality rates - your mom's oncologist may be able to help with that. There are some statstics on this site as well as the american cancer society site but they are old and don't take different treatments and types of cancer into consideration.

Herceptin is a miracle drug - one of the greatest bc discoveries over the last 10 years. Also look into PARP (for tri negs only - maybe) and ZOMETA (as a preventative)

Brenda_R · December 2009

Yep. I am also ER- PR- her2 +++

I also had a clear mammo just 6 months earlier. My tumor was 3.7 cm with 1 positive IM node. Her2 is very aggressive and fast growing, but the Herceptin is a very powerful drug against her2 positive BC.

I had a lumpectomy, then the Red Devil (Adriamycin) plus Cytoxin for 3 months, then radiation for 7 weeks, then a year of Herceptin. I am celebrating 3 years out just this weekend, and am NED (no evidence of disease).

For me, the chemo was very hard to do and I was very sick, but you do get better, it just takes time. A lot depends on your Mom's age.

I wouldn't look too hard at the stats right now, because the ones out there are several years old and don't take into account Herceptin, which is our miracle drug. If , for some reason she can't finish Herceptin, there is still Tykerb and other new drugs coming out for her2 positives.

I don't worry too much about mortality rates.

amlg1 · December 2009

I am er- pr - and HER2 +.Herceptin is a miracle drug,there is a lifetime movie,about this drug Living Proof,netflix has it.I did adriamycin and cytoxin(ac) then taxol and herceptin (th),I am 62 and did very good with chem,there are so many meds for nausea,that you get prior to getting chemo,that I hardly ever used any anti nausea meds.

we are here if you need us.

mmm5 · December 2009

Most Onc's (and I have had 3 opinions from top onc"s) will tell you that now Her2 is a favored prognosis (if you have to have one) as you have Herceptin that is a molecular treatment that targets the specific cell and has a very high success rate.

Estepp · December 2009

Ahhhhhhhh.. the " red devil".... did it... got the ticket!

Sweety... so sorry your dear mother is having to do this.

I had a mast too.. then the red devil..with Cytoxan.. then HERCEPTIN ( WONDER DRUG) with Taxol.... your momma can be AOK!

Ask about the drug.... EMEND.. it is the anti nausea drug... it WORKS!

AND... make sure you mom takes ANY anti-nausea drugs on an every 4 hours plan.. EVEN IF SHE IS NOT SICK....

I always say.....

PREVENT>>>> PREVENT>>>>>> PREVENT>>>>>>

It worked for me.. and it can work for your mom!

Hang in there.. she can do this and you can help her... this time next year... you will be HELPING OTHERS on this site... and your mother will be fine!

Blessings!

Stage 3a IDC, HER2 +

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