T-dm1 - for Metastatic Breast Cancer

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Rilylovemom
Rilylovemom Member Posts: 8
edited September 2016 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

My mom has been undergoing the treatment for 2 years since year 2014. I've posted a topic in respect of the medication and treatment about her cancer 2 years ago. The combination of Herceptin and Perjeta works very well on her during these two years and the cancer cells is regressive. When the pet/scan result told us that her cancer cell was only accumulated on her bone L3 (a very small spot) , which is very big recovery in comparison with the previous report. I'm so glad that she is using the correct drug! Nevertheless, the recent report shows that her cancer cell starts to progressive again, scattering over her bone and there are significant new cancer spots appears on L4 and L5, even the cancer cell on L3 becomes larger.

Doctor has advised my mom to do radiotherapy on her L3 and the side effect is very serious, she lost her appetite, felt nausea and severe diarrhea, and admitted to hospital for two weeks. It was disappointed me that the most recent report (i received few days ago) after radiotherapy, the cancer cells grow even bigger on L3, L4 and L5 and other bone areas.

Now, doctor prescribes a chemo medicine "Xeloda" for my mom for 6 months and asked to stop using Herceptin and Perjeta, as he said that the medicine doesn't work on my mom anymore. I feel very depressed about the news, and doesn't know if i should listen to the doctor to stop the injection of Herceptin and Perjeta on my mom? As she has entitled the medication for lifetime free but once we stop it, then we will not entitle to it anymore. And he has introduced us a new medication, which is T-dm1. I would like to ask if anyone of you is stage IV Metastatic breast cancer using T-dm1 currently? Does it work well on you? Please give me some advice. Thanks.

Besides, my mom has been injected Denosumab every month to avoid the happen of spontaneous fractures and Hypercalcemia.

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  • pwilmarth
    pwilmarth Member Posts: 235
    edited September 2016

    I am sorry to hear about your mom's progression.

    I am not on this drug, but I do know that it is the next drug that is used once progression occurs on Herceptin and Perjeta. Here's a video from doctor's discussing the use of T-DM1

    HER2+ Breast Cancer

    It's understandable why you are concerned but please know that this is a good drug that works well.

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  • pwilmarth
    pwilmarth Member Posts: 235
    edited September 2016

    T-DM1 group

    This is a group of ladies who discuss T-DM1

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  • mainegirl
    mainegirl Member Posts: 62
    edited September 2016

    I'm also sorry about your mom's news. I just started T-DM1 in a trial along with another drug. So far, so good. I have one or two days where I'm tired, which is probably from the platelet level dropping, but it corrects itself quickly. I get my first scans in a week to see if it is working. Best to you!

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  • Fitztwins
    Fitztwins Member Posts: 7,969
    edited September 2016

    My doctor has never stopped using Herceptin. There is also Tykerb. Can you get another opinion?

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  • Rilylovemom
    Rilylovemom Member Posts: 8
    edited September 2016

    Thanks mainegirl, may i know how is the result of the scanning? It works well? Have you tried the combination of Herceptin and Perjeta before using T-dm1?

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  • kwagart
    kwagart Member Posts: 77
    edited September 2016

    My situation is the same as your mom's, a breast cancer specialist that I see for second opinions offered adding back in taxotere as an option. I took the suggestion to prolong my first line treatment and because I am concerned that my insurance will not allow me to revisit perjeta. I have had three infusions and have not been scanned but my tumor markers have stopped increasing. I am not too excited about IV chemo again but this m.o. has managed women successfully for years with this method (taking breaks and adjusting chemo doses as necessary). Just another option, hope it helps.


    Kim

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