Newly diagnosed and feeling very overwhelmed

Hmm, neoadjuvant chemo (chemo before surgery) is becoming increasingly common for the treatment of HER2+ cancer. As you can see from my signature, I did Adriamycin + Cytoxan, and then Taxol + Herceptin + Perjeta, all before surgery. It should be noted that Herceptin and Perjeta are not chemo agents, but targeted therapies designed to attack HER2+ cancer. So, no, you won't be getting "another round of chemo" after surgery. Rather, you will be doing several months of Herceptin alone.

Before surgery or after surgery, it is standard practice for BC patients with HER2+ cancer to do chemo. That is because oncologists believe that the initial infusions of Herceptin work best when combined with a taxane chemo like Taxol or Taxotere.

One of the benefits of doing neoajuvant chemo in the U.S., is that Perjeta has been approved for neoadjuvant use for HER2+ tumors over 2 cm. Since your tumor is over 2 cm., you qualify to get the latest HER2+ targeted therapy.

I don't know what you mean by HER2+ cancer as "not always successfully treated." It doesn't matter what the type, some cancers do recur at some point. It should be noted that with the development of targeted therapies, the outcomes of HER2+ cancer have been significantly improved.

((Hugs)) and best wishes!

hi,

Yes it can be overwhelming-i understand how you feel. I can tell you how my treatment went- started with chemo first (every three weeks x 6), surgery, radiation and continuation of Herceptin every 3 weeks(one year total).

Stage 2A hormone (-), HER+ nodes+, PCR at surgery

Diagnosed March 2016

I just want to address your statement about HER2+ cancer and the success of treatment. I am 10 years out from diagnosis. At the time I had the standard procedure of surgery, chemo with AC and then one year of herceptin.

Her2+ cancer is now very successful treated because of herceptin and other drugs. I am proof - I am NED and hope to be that way forever.