How often to get heart scans when using herceptin

[Diane]

Have started herceptin and Drs say they have no idea how often to scan for heart problems, anyone from the trials have any information?

[Lolly]

Diane, I've been scanned every six months since starting Herceptin. I usually have an Echo, which is a simple ultrasound, but for the 6 month vaccine trial I'm in the requirement has been for a MUGA at the beginning and one after I receive the last vaccine. Then I expect my onc will go back to the Echo, which has been as accurate and doesn't involve a radioactive tracer injection!

<3,
Lolly

[*_joy_*]

Hi Diane, my breast cancer specialist who has giiven herceptin since its approval to many, many women says that he has never seen a heart related problem after the first full year, if the tests in that year were always very good. So he leaves it up to the patient's comfort, but does not recommend them after the first full year.

Love, Joy

[Diane]

Thanks to you both, my doctor was not going to do any kind of scan. I've just started, finished my second treatment yesterday, 50 to go! I think I'll get a scan about three months in and go from there?

[joy]

Diane, I'm sorry if I missed something, but did you get a baseline heart scan of some kind? Because I think it is good to know how your heart is going into herceptin treatment and checking another time in the course of the first year of treatment. Anyway, just wondering and hop you are doing well!
Love, Joy

[Diane]

Hi Joy, I had one before AC and also felt I should have another before beginning herceptin. Dr. looked at me like I was a species he'd never encountered before. But he did give me a referral and I'm still trying to decide the best time to use it, I feel like you that a baseline is a good idea and maybe one in another three months. They are very keen to follow herceptin trial protocol on one hand but do not seem to have a clue what the protocol was for heart scans in those trials. Anyhoo, Thanks and hugs to you-

[Guest]

Diane - I had a muga scan done before AC, then one before I started Herceptin to establish a baseline. Before AC - ejection fraction was 65%, 55% after. I get a Muga done every 3 months while on herceptin - all have been around 52-53%. I have a couple more months of herceptin and one muga to go. I accidentally scheduled a Muga for the day after the herceptin IV and had to cancel because they said it would have skewed the results. Good luck with the herceptin.

Best
Tami

[lmarshall]

Diane,

My baseline MUGA before AC (June 04) was 74. MUGA after AC in Oct. 04 before starting Herceptin (part of trial) was about 66. MUGA after 4 weekly Herceptins in Oct. 04 was about mid 50's. Taken off Herceptin at that point. MUGA in Jan. 05 back up to mid 60's. MUGA in March 05 about the same as January's results.

Back on Herceptin as of June 05. Will have a MUGA again in early July 05. Hoping that one stays normal.

The trial specified MUGAs every three months I think.

Lisa

[*_lor_*]

I had baseline MUGA that was 59, then after the AC and before the herceptin I had another MUGA that was 55. I was told that anything over 55 was normal.

I also found it interesting that while I was on the AC my blood presure went up. Now that I am on taxol/herceptin it is coming back down. I am hoping that means my MUGA will maintain or improve.

[awjkej]

I would get a baseline echocardiogram as early as possible. Then you have data regarding your heart when it is fairly new to the Herceptin. I believe this is very important b/c we don't know what will happen in the future.

Anne

[gianara]

I'm glad you asked this question. :)

I've been on Herceptin for 3 1/2 years now and haven't had my heart checked since the first year. I was going to ask my doctor about it on my next visit.