Should I consider taking Zometa?

[bejuce]

I've seen a lot of postings/signatures lately talking about Zometa as part of a treatment plan. I'm about to finish with radiation next week (4 more treatments, woohoo!) and have a visit with my oncologist on Tuesday before my next Herceptin infusion. I'm going to ask her about putting me on Zometa as what I've read so far points to its reduction in recurrence - especially for premenopausal women.

I'm slightly ER+ (5%)/PR- and thinking about adding it to my treatment plan in the future. I've had so many drugs so far and got a near-complete response at surgery but am wondering if Herceptin alone for a year will be enough. I may also go on Tamoxifen, but that is still to be decided.

So, wise women/men of this wonderful board, can you please point me to links of studies talking about Zometa and its added benefits? Or for those of you taking it, what made your doctor/you decide to do it? How often do you take it? Every 6 months? How are the side effects?

Thank you so much!!!

Marcia (bejuce)

[Becky]

Zometa has been shown to reduce mets not only in the bones but in soft tissue as well.

You might also consider the Tamoxifen while still receiving the Herceptin infusions as there is syngergy (even for the few cancer cells that are ER+). You could then decide with your onc whether to consider continuing Tamoxifen after Herceptin is completed.

http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/zoledronic-acid0608

Above is the study but if you google zometa and breast cancer there are more.

I get it every 6 months. The first infusion caused me flu like symptoms - even a fever of 101 and bone aches. However, even though you get the next one 6 months later, this did not happen to me. I just was alittle tired but thats it. I actually am getting my 7th or 8th infusion on November 30, right after my onc appointment. Even though I am 5+ yrs out, I still see him every 6 months because I get the infusions every 6 months.

I hope this helps.

[Linda]

Marcia:
My doc did not want to give me Zometa, stating that the study had been too small and the risk for kidney damage, etc, didn't make it worth it. Just her opinion -- since many docs are on board with Zometa. Also, I take Boniva already (for osteopenia) and she says that will do the same thing. I'm not sure I agree, but just wanted to pass that on.
By the way, there's a large discussion of this on the Stage 3 thread on Breastcancer.org, where many women weigh in. It may be a bit old by now, but check and read there.
Linda

[Shobha]

Hi Marica,

I was not very well informed about zometa when I completed my treatment but I did develop osteopenia. So, I was given Evista since it serves both purposes - that is, it prevents bone loss as well as works almost the as same as Tamoxifen for the ER+ status.

Fyi - I too am weakly ER+ (~5%)

shobha

[bejuce]

Thank you for your responses, I love this group!

I met my oncologist yesterday and she said that the jury is still out on the Zometa and that additional results will come out eventually. She said that the trial looked at a small group of women and that other trials are undergoing.

I'll be starting Tamoxifen tomorrow (for 5 years, even though I'm only 5% ER+) and she said that it protects the bones as well. Today is my last rad and I'm looking forward (albeit with some anxiety) to the next phase of my treatment.