HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - laser ablation of liver mets (when few) may extend survival a median of five years!

Joan M · 12-10-2007, 07:41 PM

Lani,

Thanks for the article.

In showing that surgery can offer a benefit in some cases, the article is different from others I've read which indicated that surgery has not been shown to have a survival benefit over chemo regimens.

Oncologists often don't recommend surgery even when it's an option.

When I first learned of a solitary pulmonary nodule in my left lung I asked my onc about surgery. She was very hesitant, saying it was a high price to pay if the cancer spreads.

I had a wedge resection to remove the nodule from my lung, and even if my breast cancer comes back in my lung again or elsewhere, I know it can't come back in that particular spot.

Surgery can also be used effectively for single mets to the breast bone.

12-10-2007, 07:41 PM	#8
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Lani, Thanks for the article. In showing that surgery can offer a benefit in some cases, the article is different from others I've read which indicated that surgery has not been shown to have a survival benefit over chemo regimens. Oncologists often don't recommend surgery even when it's an option. When I first learned of a solitary pulmonary nodule in my left lung I asked my onc about surgery. She was very hesitant, saying it was a high price to pay if the cancer spreads. I had a wedge resection to remove the nodule from my lung, and even if my breast cancer comes back in my lung again or elsewhere, I know it can't come back in that particular spot. Surgery can also be used effectively for single mets to the breast bone. __________________ 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!!