Herceptin for Dummies - Dummy Inquiry

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Coltsneck
Coltsneck Member Posts: 180
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
Hi,
My sister was diagnosed with multiple right breast DCIS with microinvasions - stage 1, Node Negative, ER/PR neg, HER2 Positive 3. She had a mastectomy, and pathology report also showed Paget's disease of breast (which is supposedly resolved via mastectomy). She has onc appt next week. What is in store for her as far as Herceptin is concerned? How long is the treatment and do they administer it the same way they do chemo?
Thanks for your help,
Maureen
IDC, Stage I, ER/PR+, HER neg, Node neg
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  • bap
    bap Member Posts: 4
    edited June 2007
    IDC, Stage I, ER/PR+, HER neg, Node neg ?

    HER neg?

    Anyway, I was: IDC, Stage I, ER/PR+, HER pos, Node neg

    I believe Herceptin is for Her2 positive. It is administered just like chemo. In fact it is actually a chemo but not characterized that way usually. I've seen it refered to as immunotherapy. I have been infused every three weeks since sometime in Nov 2006. I've had 3 muga scans so far. Each showed no change. I'm having a fourth in July. Muga scan is a heart scan. Herceptin has the potential for heart damage.
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  • Coltsneck
    Coltsneck Member Posts: 180
    edited June 2007

    Thanks - I am Her Neg - my question was regarding my sister who is HER 3+.

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  • Annaanne
    Annaanne Member Posts: 190
    edited June 2007
    Hi Maureen:
    Of course you'll have to wait and see what the onc says -- but, her positive, hormone neg bc is usually treated agressively -- chemo and herceptin even for stage 1. No anti hormonals though.
    For more info on her pos bc, check out the Her2 Support web site. There are lots of women there with advanced disease, so don't let that freak you out. It's a great site, and stage 1 her + bc is very, very treatable. But it usually merits the big guns treatment.
    Annaanne (her+, er/pr-)
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  • Annaanne
    Annaanne Member Posts: 190
    edited June 2007

    For your other questions. Herceptin is given for one year, usually begun with a taxane chemo, if a taxane is used. If A/C is used, herceptin comes after. Also some women are getting another mix with a Carboplatin?(THC?) chemo and no A/C. And there are new studies that less than a year of herceptin may be enough. Herceptin is a iv drug, given through a vein or port, every 1 to 3 weeks. It's a very easy drug to tolerate. No hair loss or low blood counts.

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  • Coltsneck
    Coltsneck Member Posts: 180
    edited June 2007
    Thank you both for your response. I'll do more reading but will wait until the onc appointment takes place (just a few more days).
    Maureen
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  • Annaanne
    Annaanne Member Posts: 190
    edited June 2007
    Hope the appointment goes well and you feel good about the doc. You'll have more info, and can come back here with more questions. There's not that much variety in treatment, so all the women on this site will have info.
    Good luck
    A
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  • nancy53
    nancy53 Member Posts: 42
    edited June 2007

    hi,i am her 2 positive,stage 1 grade 3mnastectomy 5/22,onco this week,what can i expect to hear,thanks,nancy

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