Perjeta Qualifications?
 

Hello :-) I asked my doctor about adding Perjeta to my regiment of TCH. He is going to check into it, but I am curious about people who "qualify" to receive this. I already had surgery, so I am adjuvant in my treatment plan. I had micromats in my sentinel lymph node and my tumor was pretty large (6 cm long, but pretty thin). I live in the midwest and was wondering what trend is for women in a similar circumstance within the rest of the country/world. The wording on the Perjeta print out I received seemed vague when talking about adjuvant therapy. It seemed there could be some confusion on use of it post surgery. Any experiences, suggestion, or advice would be greatly appreciated.

June 17, 2015-Diagnosed Stage 2 mammary carcinoma with lobular features
July 7, 2015-Double mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy; er+, pr+, her2+
August 14, 2015-Port installed
August 19-First chemo of TCH (six in all every 21 days, then H for a year, and perhaps radiation)

Re: Perjeta Qualifications?
 

Hi
I am on H & P. started after surgery & initially given with Docetaxol. The only reason I'm receiving it here is because it is a trial. So far it has been turned down twice by Scottish Medicine Board on cost basis. Find this really worrying especially as results are good. I find H & P easy to take and would recommend - if you can get it!

Re the trial - not all have had surgery!

Re: Perjeta Qualifications?
 

If you are Stage 2, you should qualify. I did not because I was Stage 1, no lymph node involvement and tumor < 2 cm. I'm pretty sure you need a tumor 2 cm or greater, and/or lymph node involvement to qualify.

Carol Ann

Re: Perjeta Qualifications?
 

It was originally approved in 2013 for locally advanced disease as neoadjuvant treatment. They were going to expand the target group over the past year so you should qualify now. I know someone who had surgery first and then was found to be triple positive as you are and she was able to get it as an adjuvant treatment with herceptin.

Look into ovarian suppression as well (Zoladex or Lupron), it might be worth it at least during treatment with Herceptin. It was rough with TCHP -- it also works to inhibit malignant cells in the breast like tamox but doesn't stimulate the female reproductive organs.