Stem Cell Implantation?
 

Has anyone here tried stem cell implantation, or discussed this as a possibility with their doctor or maybe heard anything on the subject for breast cancer?

I was call by a lady (Mary) a few months back who had such a thing done and she told me that she was cancer free after 10 years. I don't remember what stage she was in (if she told me at all) and she did not even know what kind of breast cancer she had other than it was not her2neu.

I approached my doc about the subject of stem cell shorty after and he told me that they don't even do this any more. His comment was- it was too costly, too much discomfort for the patient, and just not proven to be beneficial.

Any thoughts?

Michelle

Hi Michelle,

I know there are several ladies on this board who have had this and done well.

It is also true, however, that they do not do this anymore - at least not outside a trial or you would really have to fight for it - as overall the results were that it did not "work" for the reasons your doctor said. The toxicity was so high, and the incidences of success were not. That said, in my view it is definitely one of those things where it CAN and did work really well for a few people - but not enough people to make the cut.

food for thought--see the new thread I posted on breast cancer "spread" by stem cell
 

transplant!

evem though her donor sister has not yet come down with breast cancer, the biopsy of her breast cancer found it originated from cells with genetic identity of her sister!

Hi Michele
 

I had a stem cell transplant back in 1999 after my first recurrence. They do not do them anymore at Moffitt where I had mine done. I used my own cells and was in the hospital for a month but all and all did well. I was in remission for close to 3 years after but have had and still have ongoing progression. I like to think that maybe the transplant did help some but I believe they found that it did not work any better then adjuvent theraphy with less risk attached.

There are so many new drugs being developed and in trial and lots for Her2 patient which is great.

Lets just pray that one day, and hopefully in the near future we can get closer to finding that "cure" we all dream about.

Take care.