Important article re: her2 status:

Options
Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
Important article re: her2 status:
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2008

    Someone posted this in another thread, but I thought it would be appreciated here as well:

    http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119941325367266813.html?mod=health_home_stories

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DebbieB
    DebbieB Member Posts: 161
    edited January 2008

    Thanks Laura for posting this.  It was an interesting article.  I remember my surgeon telling me she had my tumor tested 3 times just to be sure.  But we are still at the mercy of the labs and lab techs.   I'm sure errors get made that can have adverse effects.

    Thanks for sharing.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NootiesMom
    NootiesMom Member Posts: 39
    edited January 2008

    That is very scary.  I would hate to think I got the wrong treatment.

    I hope they are doing somthing to fix this problem.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cedeno
    cedeno Member Posts: 7
    edited January 2008

    I started taxol and herceptine on December 21st both on a three week cycle.  I would like to know if there is anyone out there taking these medication on a three week cycle and what are the side effects that you are experiencing from them.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marejo
    marejo Member Posts: 1,356
    edited January 2008

    I cannot click on the link.  Can someone explain, in a nutshell, what the article says.

    Cedeno, I did taxol along with herceptin.  I received my first taxol treatment along with herceptin.  Taxol was received every 2 week and herceptin every 3 for one full year.

    No side effects other than the norm.  Achiness in legs - some neropahty from taxol and not much from herceptin - runny nose.  All have left since treatment has ended.

    Mary Jo

    P.S.  Chemo ended Nov. '05 and herceptin ended Oct. '06

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chelee
    Chelee Member Posts: 513
    edited January 2008

    Hi MaryJo,  I had to copy and paste it in my browser.  But I'll try to paste it here so it will work for you...here goes.

    http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119941325367266813.html?mod=health_home_stories

    That is an interesting article because I read my path report and I know I *wasn't* happy when I read in very FINE print that my path dept stained my tumor with a stain NOT approved by the FDA and it explained how it didn't have to be either.  But that it was just as good. (How do I know that?)  Now I read this and it concerns me.

    Chelee

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2008

     I was in so much shock from being diagnosed with BC that these kind of things never even crossed my mind. This is very troublesome! My heart has permanant damage (probably from Herceptin, but maybe because of Adriamycin, too) and if I didn't even need herceptin, wouldn't that be a kick in the pants?

    Oh well, life goes on for now.

    Miss S

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2008

    Wow!  Im glad I found this site.  That was a great article.  When I was diagnosed I was so stupid about breast cancer.  Thought ok have surgery, take tamoxifen like my mom did and go on with life.  Then I was hit with er/pr negative, her2 positive and a positive lymph node.  I was so upset at the news, my PCP made them run the test a second time.  Im glad now that my crying made me get it checked again. 

    I was on Herceptin and couldnt finish.  Only got 3 months worth cause of heart issue. But I know in my heart what I got, was enough to help me. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jcs13
    jcs13 Member Posts: 27
    edited January 2008

    I was diagnosed in November, 2007 with a small HER2+ tumor.  My first onco advised against chem/Herceptin.  2nd opinion onco wants to be more agressive....but, they did retest my tissue (I had to provide slides from surgery) to confirm that I was HER2+ and ER/PR-.  Apparently, there can be false positives in rare instances.  I start Taxol for 12 wks very soon, followed by 6 wks radiation; Herceptin for 12 months.  I'm wondering why I have to have the Taxol for 12 wks....maybe lower dosage and spread it out???? 

    ~Joan

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cathy-CA
    Cathy-CA Member Posts: 686
    edited January 2008

    JCS--Are you doing the Herceptin at the same time as the Taxol? Since early studies with Herceptin had it administered weekly, some oncs will do the Taxol on a smaller dose weekly and combine it with the Herceptin.  Once the Taxol is completed, then they will switch to an every three week cycle for the remaining Herceptin.  Don't be afraid or embarassed to ask your onc this question.  You want to feel comfortable with your treatment and understand why the treatment is being administered in the manner it is.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AnnNYC
    AnnNYC Member Posts: 4,484
    edited January 2008

    That's scary.

    The final paragraphs, about results varying with length of time sample was stored and in what preservative, confirmed something I felt when I had MRI-guided biopsy -- it was in a private office that I only went to on that one occasion -- office seemed very disorganized, it was the end of the day -- I was paying my co-pay and I saw my biopsy specimen sitting in a cute little straw basket on the countertop (too cute -- you know what I mean? didn't look very businesslike).

    I asked where it was going, who would pick it up, and when -- they said some kind of messenger service, if the guy got there before the office closed.

    (I've worked with these messenger services in basic research, and had too many memories of a tissue sample that was supposed to get from OR to lab within an hour taking a day and being worthless.)

    So -- the path lab it was going to was in the same hospital 30 blocks downtown where I worked!  I insisted on taking it myself in a taxi!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bluewillow
    bluewillow Member Posts: 779
    edited January 2008

    Hi Laura and thanks for the link to the article.

    So, what do us HER2+ ladies do now-- is it possible to have our specimens re-tested?  I don't even know where mine is, mostly because I've never thought to ask.  I was dx'd back in July of '07 and wonder if it's still around.  Would it be wise to ask for a "second opinion" and a lab re-test?  I just finished my 12 weekly Taxols yesterday plus I've had weekly Herceptin and begin solo Herceptin next Monday... gee something else to worry about! Yell

    Take care, everyone!

    Mary Jo

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dragonfly92127
    Dragonfly92127 Member Posts: 106
    edited February 2008

    I was tested 3 times and we still aren't clear as to my Her2 status.  I am taking the Hercepitan with the taxol - Just to be safe.

    1st test IHC 3+,  2nd test FISH negitive,  3rd test IHC 2+

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories