Herceptin treatment cancelled

Options
1marmalade1
1marmalade1 Member Posts: 308
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Has anyone had their Herceptin tx cancelled because of results of echocardiogram?  They cancelled my last tx, sent me for another echo, and told me the next one will be cancelled next week as well.  They call it "taking a break" from tx.

Just wondering if anyone else has had their tx cancelled for a while.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • CherylQ
    CherylQ Member Posts: 117
    edited September 2010

    Hi 1marmalade1,  Will be starting on Herceptin next week.  My onc dr told me that it is not unusual for women on this med to take breaks to let the heart muscle rest.  It does not mean you can not continue with the med, you just need a break.

     Peace and laughter,

    Cheryl

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • blondie45
    blondie45 Member Posts: 580
    edited September 2010

    Hi, yes I had to stop herceptin after 6 months of being on it. My heart function is now back up to almost normal at last echo (1 month ago) but my onc and cardiologist decided it was best if I didn't go back on it. How many herceptins have you had? They really don't know if you need it a full year or not.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Denny123
    Denny123 Member Posts: 1,886
    edited September 2010

    Marm,

    Do you know what your ejection fraction is?  I have been on Herceptin for 7 years and will be on it for life.

    But now my EF is between 45 and 50%.  Since Herceptin has kept me in remission for over 6 years, I don't want to have to stop it!!!!  But my onc said that if my EF goes down to 40% I will have to take a Herceptin break.

    Denise

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Orange12
    Orange12 Member Posts: 20
    edited September 2010

    Hi Marm,  yes, pre chemo my ejection fraction was 69, after chemo and 5 herceptin treatments it dropped to 50.  I stopped Herceptin for 9 weeks, tested again and my ejection fraction was 60.  They restarted herceptin, my ejection fraction kept going up, and at last check up was back to 69 again.....amazing!!  Don't worry, i believe it is very common.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • carcharm
    carcharm Member Posts: 486
    edited September 2010

    Interesting... mine was 69 to start and dropped to 50 and I had biatrial enlargement but I got my last 2 tx without stopping. Has anyone's atria enlarged?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories