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Joan M · 11-16-2007, 10:42 PM

Hi Erin,

I'm not sure what 55%-60% means, or why there isn't just one number.

I was taken off Herceptin in October after a muga scan showed a decrease in my LVEF of greater than 10%, which my onc said is a guideline for discontinuing Herceptin, even though the normal range for a muga scan should be between 50% and 70%.

I went from 70% to 57%, from my first to second scans.

That's why I'm wondering about your range (55% to 60%). If your second scan was 64%, your scan shouldn't drop more than 6.4 percentage points, or lower than roughly 57%.

Your onc probably wants to discontinue Herceptin because your range is close to the 10% drop.

I was very upset about discontinuing Herceptin. I had resumed taking Herceptin when I became Stage IV this year, but had taken it for early stage BC for one year weekly without a problem (scans always in the low-to-mid 60% range).

My once said she doesn't want to run the risk of damaging my heart in case I have to start taking chemo again.

11-16-2007, 10:42 PM	#5
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Hi Erin, I'm not sure what 55%-60% means, or why there isn't just one number. I was taken off Herceptin in October after a muga scan showed a decrease in my LVEF of greater than 10%, which my onc said is a guideline for discontinuing Herceptin, even though the normal range for a muga scan should be between 50% and 70%. I went from 70% to 57%, from my first to second scans. That's why I'm wondering about your range (55% to 60%). If your second scan was 64%, your scan shouldn't drop more than 6.4 percentage points, or lower than roughly 57%. Your onc probably wants to discontinue Herceptin because your range is close to the 10% drop. I was very upset about discontinuing Herceptin. I had resumed taking Herceptin when I became Stage IV this year, but had taken it for early stage BC for one year weekly without a problem (scans always in the low-to-mid 60% range). My once said she doesn't want to run the risk of damaging my heart in case I have to start taking chemo again. __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!