HER2+ and chemo

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EverForward
EverForward Member Posts: 242
edited June 2014 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

My biopsy pathology showed me HER2 negative and when my surgery pathology showed no sign of cancer in the lymph nodes, I thought I was off the hook for chemo. But additional pathology on the tumor after the lumpectomy showed that I was, in fact, HER2 positive. I'd appreciate hearing from people who are on Herceptin, either alone or as part of a mix of other chemo and/or targeted therapies. Is it possible to do just Herceptin, or is it always done in conjunction with other therapies? My appointment with the medical oncologist is April 2 (after 2nd lumpectomy surgery) and I want to be informed ahead of time.

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  • NinaW
    NinaW Member Posts: 110
    edited March 2014

    Hi there- 

    I'm so sorry you find yourself here, but I know you'll get lots of great advice and support. With regard to Herceptin, it's generally given in conjunction with chemo because chemo increases the effectiveness of the Herceptin. There is a new protocol that's the result of a study between Dana Farber and Sloan which uses only Taxotere and Herceptin, and that seems to be yielding great results without having to add the additional toxicity of carboplatin, but be advised that it's only one study and the group was pretty small.

    Chemo sounds so overwhelming when you first get the news. And while it's no picnic, if you're HER2+ and your oncologist advises you that chemo is your best option, there's enormous comfort to be found in the fact that you have a real opportunity to kick the cancer to the curb for good. 

    Did they do FISH to determine your HER2 positivity, or was it immediately apparent during IHC?

    Definitely discuss your options, and go with whatever gives you the most peace of mind!

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited March 2014

    Everforward-  Take some deep calming breaths..... you are okay and not alone.  I know you are anxious and very shortly, the specifics of your situation will reveal themselves through testing/ scans.  Before your next onco appointment, you may want to write down all of the questions you have about what your treatment plan will encompass.   At that appointment, you may have more specifics about the pathology of what was found which should help explain your onco's treatment plan for you.  Yes, the size and pathology of what was found are determining factors as what your treatment plan is.  At that time, you may also want to let your onco  know of any other health conditions that you may have since these health conditions may affect what type of chemo regimen you receive.

    FYI: I am a participant in the Herceptin B-47 clinical trial where HER2 +1 and HER2 +2 are randomized to receive Herceptin.  Under the current drug protocal, only those patients who are HER2 +3 receive Herceptin as a part of their chemo regimen.  I was fortuntate and had minimal side effects from my chemo regimen and did not experience any noticeable side effects when I was receiving Herceptin only.  I had 6 rounds of Cytoxan/Taxotere every 3 weeks and received the Herceptin infusions every 3 weeks for one year starting with the 1st round of chemo.    I finished chemo August 2012 and the herceptin March 2013.  I've been on Tamoxifen since September 2012.  I can't say that my treatment plan has been a walk in the park; but I can tell you that having a positive attitude and educating myself as to how to take care of myself are just two of the many ways that I feel I have done my best to get through the active treatments.

    Wishing you the best..... keep breathing......

    Sending you positve calming and healing thoughts and energy.

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  • EverForward
    EverForward Member Posts: 242
    edited March 2014

    Thanks, Nina & Melrose. I can't say that I'm thrilled about the idea of doing this treatment for a year (yikes!), if that is what it turns out to be. But in the end I'll be happier knowing that I did everything to prevent the cancer from coming back.

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited March 2014

    Everforward- You are spot on about wanting to do whatever you can do !!!!  One of the best gifts you can give yourself is not look at your treatment plan in terms of time ( ie... months.... year).  It will take however long it takes to get through the active treatments.  You will learn as I did, that patience became my friend.  I know the pace in the beginning is rapid and you may not feel that you are able to wrap your head around everything.  The truth is you will probably get information in increments and at the time you may not think the information is coming fast enough or not enough or even too much.  Keep breathing..... you will know soon enough and you will be ready for whatever comes your way.  The reason I say that is because you are here.... trying to find out information so you can prepare yourself for your onco meeting.  Keep us posted..... Hugs....

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  • EverForward
    EverForward Member Posts: 242
    edited April 2014

    You're right, Melrose. Unfortunately, patience is not one of my virtues. I met with the second medical oncologist today and she made the same recommendation as the other one. So I feel pretty comfortable going with the TCH combination. In the absence of patience, I'm happy to have a treatment plan. I guess now I have to start putting together a chemo kit! 

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  • Sunshine36
    Sunshine36 Member Posts: 88
    edited April 2014

    EverForward- 

    I am also her2+ (and er- pr-) and am doing chemo that includes taxotere Carboplatin herceptin and also another hormonal for her2+ called perjeta. My onc was very optimistic because our cancer's are very responsive to chemo. 

    I'm have 6 rounds of chemo (1 down 5 to go!) but will remain getting a monthly herceptin infusion for a year. 

    Wishing you lots of luck and good juju :-)

    Jen 

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  • EverForward
    EverForward Member Posts: 242
    edited April 2014

    Sunshine, it sounds like we have a similar plan. I start my first TCH infusion tomorrow (6 rounds every 3 weeks, and the Herceptin continues every 3 weeks for a year). I will happily accept your wishes for luck and juju, and wish for you the same! We can handle this.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2014

    I would recommend that you ice during your Taxotere infusion - starting 10 minutes before and going 10 minutes after, if you can.  I just used a bag of frozen peas for each hand and foot, brought them in a cooler from home.  Also, try to hold ice chips in your mouth during Taxotere to prevent mouth sores.  Drink, drink, drink!  You can do this!

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  • applepop
    applepop Member Posts: 16
    edited April 2014

    I am also on TCHP. I had my first treatment on April 14. 

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