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StephN · 10-21-2008, 02:51 PM

Now I respond to the article in Jean's post.

"Only one quarter (26%) of 200 clinicians said that HER2 test results were routinely available at the time when a decision is being made about whether a patient will benefit from chemotherapy together with the HER2-targeted treatment trastuzumab (i.e. greater than 75% of the time) - during what is called the 'multi-disciplinary team meeting' (MDTM)[v], according to the results of the North of England Cancer Network audit. The results were presented at the 2008 annual conference of the National Cancer Research Institute."

At my cancer center they have "Breast Clinic" days when new patients meet their treatment team. This kind of meeting is what is referred to in the above statement, when so many do NOT have the HER2 status. FISH test takes a while, but IHC is quick.

This report was shocking to me, and I put the blame on the path labs. Not sure WHO orders which tests - if it is the surgeon because until a diagnosis of cancer is reached we are not yet on board with an oncologist. Anyway, that is how I usually understand the process.

If there has been a needle or other biopsy then cancer is either known or suspected. Often the surgery proceeds quickly before the oncology appts. That was my case and the path was quite complete, thanks to my surgeon.

What does anyone else have to say about that??

10-21-2008, 02:51 PM	#13
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Now I respond to the article in Jean's post. "Only one quarter (26%) of 200 clinicians said that HER2 test results were routinely available at the time when a decision is being made about whether a patient will benefit from chemotherapy together with the HER2-targeted treatment trastuzumab (i.e. greater than 75% of the time) - during what is called the 'multi-disciplinary team meeting' (MDTM)[v], according to the results of the North of England Cancer Network audit. The results were presented at the 2008 annual conference of the National Cancer Research Institute." At my cancer center they have "Breast Clinic" days when new patients meet their treatment team. This kind of meeting is what is referred to in the above statement, when so many do NOT have the HER2 status. FISH test takes a while, but IHC is quick. This report was shocking to me, and I put the blame on the path labs. Not sure WHO orders which tests - if it is the surgeon because until a diagnosis of cancer is reached we are not yet on board with an oncologist. Anyway, that is how I usually understand the process. If there has been a needle or other biopsy then cancer is either known or suspected. Often the surgery proceeds quickly before the oncology appts. That was my case and the path was quite complete, thanks to my surgeon. What does anyone else have to say about that?? __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.