My sis just got dx, help!

[kristen]

Hi everyone, It's been a long time since I posted, I have been doing very well, passed my 3 year anniversary and so forth. I forget so much of what all you women keep straight in your minds, wonderful you are!

It is with sad news that I tell you now that my sister 53 yrs old was dx with BC this past December. She is stage II and had 3mm micro invasion on the sentinal lymphnode. The others were clean. Her oncologist sounds terrific, (we dont' live in the same cities) and is looking into studies and types of chemo regimens that would be appropriate for her. She is er+, her2+/pr borderline. She has had blood clots last year so they are saying that Tamoxifen will not be an option for her....Does this mean that the AI's would work for her and my big question, shouldn't her tumor be sent out to see if it is TOPO II or not? Didn't that come out at the meeting that it should be tested and that helps determine her plan of action?
This is all very new to her and I don't have all the info and neither does she of what kind of tx she will be on or suggested at this point. She told me he may have her do one kind of chemo for 4 tx.s and then another for 4. Any input that you ladies have I would appreciate and I know she will too. The journey is so long and so complicated and you make it all seem so easy. I know I would not be where I am today without all your support. I think the world of all of you.
She may post and ask more questions but I thought I would get it started for her. Love to you all. Take Care, k and thank you...
ps. anyone else have a sister who ended up being her2 and doesn't carry the gene?

[Adriana Mangus]

Your sister will definitely benefit from herceptin, since she's her2+. Have her join the site am sure she will feel better after she learns there are so many wonderful ladies on this site who can help with their knowledge. That's why I love this organization, anytime I have a question, I receive a lot of support and excellent advice from everyone. Best of luck to your sister.

[CPA]

Kristen,

From what I have learned so far, you sound pretty much on the mark. At 53, she is probably in menopause so she is a candidate for an AI. The latest report on the herceptin adjuvant trials can be fourd at www.bcirg.org (http://www.bcirg.org) under study 006.

It sounds like she was describing AC>TH chemo.

[StephN]

What a blow for your family to have two family members in this **darn** situation. Have missed your posts, but figured you must be doing well and getting on with your "new normal."

Well, having a sister diagnosed is NOT generally part of that. Was wondering if you have her full path report. Some med oncs are now ordering further or more complete testing now. They may have included other assays such as p53, etc.

Being checked for TOPOII would be a good idea. As both Christine and I did not respond well to Adriamyin. Neither of us have ever had our tumor tissue retested for this, but assume we are low in that marker since our disease progressed quickly. You can look up Dr. Slamon's presentation from last year's San Antonio symposium.

If a patient is found to perhaps have a lower chance of responding to Adriamycin, why take the chance of heart damage from this drug, when she WILL get Herceptin for sure and can take that concurrently with the other drugs? Take advantage of the newer information.

I have two sisters and no other cancer of any kind in our family. There are some new genetic markers that are being worked on and may relate to something going on in your family as time goes by.

P.S. Have you noticed the thread here about the MOUSE VIRUS?? Have you and your sister been exposed to house mice?