experience with aggressive HER2 cancer
 

Dear Ladies,
I was diagnosed with HER 2 positive breast cancer in September 2013, with a 2 cm lesion.
On October 25, the mass measured 3 cm and they detected two new masses
On November 15, the mass is 4.5 cm

my breast surgeon said this rapid growth is unusual.

Did you have experience with such aggressive form of breast and ca and what is the best way to approach is? Chemo first? which kind? Or surgery first?

thank you
Olga

Re: experience with aggressive HER2 cancer
 

Olga,

I am sorry that the cancer is growing aggressively.

I am also curious as to the recommendation of the surgeon.

Personally, with this history I would schedule a double mastectomy as soon as possible. The cancer is thriving, and either spreading, or new primaries are forming.

I realize you had hoped to avoid chemotherapy. However, the time for choice has been taken away. It is time to take action, surgery, radiation, chemo, targeted therapy. Don't delay. Monday morning call and schedule.

Re: experience with aggressive HER2 cancer
 

http://www.rationaltherapeutics.com/

With cancer this aggressive you might want to consider going out of the standard of care box.

Get your surgeons to work with you to send a live sample of tumor cells to Nagourney at Rational Therapeutics. They test possible treatments to see which end in the greatest cell death. Personalizing which treatment that would be most effective against your cancer instead of following what works best for the masses.

Re: experience with aggressive HER2 cancer
 

My tumor was 2.5x3 cm when i first found it. By the time chemo had started...about 6 weeks later i guess, it was 4cm. My onco said we had poked it and made it angry. You can read my course oftreatment in my signature. God luck!

Re: experience with aggressive HER2 cancer
 

Hello -
I guess I do not understand why the wait to do ANYthing. HER2 positive breast cancer is nothing to sit with. Best get on with treatment RIGHT AWAY.

Have you had diagnostic scans such as CT and/or PET? I would have them ASAP.

All the best to knock this back into a small and manageable box!

Re: experience with aggressive HER2 cancer
 

Olga,

My lump was 4.5 cm on first scan and when I had my mastectomy - surgeon cleared her schedule to get me in 5 days after consult - it was 6cm.
Please do not delay and seriously consider getting a more proactive breast surgeon - yours sounds to me like she/he has failed you already!

Good luck

Jenny

Re: experience with aggressive HER2 cancer
 

Dear Olga,

Yes, I would get get the surgery done ASAP, if surgeon believes he can get the tumor all out at once. Chemo before surgery (neoadjuvant chemo) is used if the tumor is large or located in a spot that makes surgical clearance difficult. This can be very effective and is becoming more common. It is possible the oncologist will favor this in your case. Which ever is done first, treatment needs to start soon.

If your tumor is growing quickly, it is likely to be very sensitive to the chemo, which targets growing cells. I am hoping this leads to a good response in your case.

Please keep in contact because we will all be thinking of you and will be by your side holding your hand (metaphorically) as you face this challenge.

Aussie Girl