Never had a muga scan-should I?

kcq
kcq Member Posts: 166
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

I am hearing about these muga scans---I had an echocardiogram done prior to chemo in May 2007.  I have finished my chemo and have had 12 heceptin treatments.  Should I have had a muga scan by now?  I see my onc on Friday, is this something I should ask him about?  I am kinda' upset that he has suggested it already.  Thanks for any info.

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  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited March 2008



    Maybe some of the ladies on or who had Herceptin will come along soon....



    Yes, It does appear that periodically checking the heart while on Herceptin is wise, as it is known to be cardiotoxic, apparently more in some than others.



    A less radioactive way than a Muga to monitor the heart for any signs of compromise (like it's ability to eject the blood, which is often the Herceptin-associated problem) is an echocardiogram. Pretty easy to have, just lay there and they do a live ultrasound and measurements of blood flow. If you have a left sided silicone implant, it sometimes interfere with the echo, so if it can be pushed slightly laterally, that might help.



    Good pick up on your part, Kim.



    Tender

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  • DebbieB
    DebbieB Member Posts: 161
    edited December 2007

    From a fellow South Carolinian now dealing with heart damage, ask for muga scans regularly.  An echocardiogram done regularly should be about as good as a muga.  Although I was highly HER+ I did not have herceptin because when I was dx'd 6 years ago they did not give herceptin to Stage 2 bc. I only had 4 rounds of AC.   Both can cause heart damage.  The damage from AC can take years to show up and the damage is typically to the left ventrical.  I am not familiar with the damage that Herceptin causes but it appears from some of the posts that I have seen, that it shows up sooner.

    I have done great and haven't had any problems until May 2007 (5.5 years after the fact).  That's when I started experiencing shortness of breath and was dx'd with severe cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure which was quite a shock at 51!  The cardiologist could not believe my oncologist didn't do muga scans.  The muga may not have prevented the heart damage but I think had I been having them regularly, I could have caught it much sooner possibly before it had gotten as bad as it is. 

    From what I have read only a small percentage of us will develop heart damage from chemo` and  I was one of those that fell into that small percentage.  The bad thing is that I was supposed to be at a very low risk for breast cancer as well!!!

    I don't want to scare anyone.  I'm just trying to bring awareness.

    Debbie

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  • bevnurse
    bevnurse Member Posts: 274
    edited December 2007

    My onc would not continue my herceptin treatments unless I had a muga scan every three months. Even though I was on it for almost 2 years I had a scan every three months. I guess heart damage from the herceptin can happen at anytime.

    I would certainly ask why the scans haven't been done up to now. 

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  • kcq
    kcq Member Posts: 166
    edited December 2007

    Thanks ladies for your advice.  I see my onc tomorrow and plan to ask him why he hasnt suggested it yet.  Do you ever feel like you fall between the cracks?

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  • JoelKM
    JoelKM Member Posts: 205
    edited December 2007

    My wife had a muga scan after she experienced shortness of breath last summer while on chemo. Our oncologist said that he usually does not order mugas or echos for young women with no history of cardiovascular disease. It sounds like the echo should be fine for you as long as you aren't experiencing any other symptoms of heart damage.

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  • Chelee
    Chelee Member Posts: 513
    edited December 2007

    Kim,  Yes you should be having regular muga's or echo's...which ever your oncologist decides on.  I prefer echo's because they are less invasive and no radiation or radioactive material injected.  Plus echo's are also much less time consuming then muga's and I believe they are just as good. 

    I am her2/neu positive and I did a year of herceptin and I had a baseline echo before starting herceptin to make sure my heart was ok...and then every 3 months through the entire year to keep an eye on it.  So its a good idea to bring up the subject to your onc.

    Take care.

    Chelee

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  • Myrajuc
    Myrajuc Member Posts: 117
    edited January 2008

    My onc wants the Muga rather than the Echo. The Echo is a lot easier, it's just like an ultrasound, the tech just uses gel on you. But with the Muga, they draw some blood on you, they mix it with the isotopes, then put it back on you while they do the scan.  They said the Muga is a better reading.

    It's suggested to have a Muga every 3 months while on Herceptin. If it's covered by your insurance, be sure to ask your onc.  Sometimes they forget. I keep my own calendar and ask before they tell me. It helps to be proactive.

    Take care,

    Myra

    mjucutan@yahoo.com

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