HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Has anyone had a tumor sensitivity test done?

DeenaH · 05-15-2011, 10:25 AM

I am going to be calling Dr. Robert Nagourney tomorrow to inquire about this. Apparently if they can retrieve a large enough sample (1cm) of live cancer tissue, they can test that sample to see which chemos and chemo combos (including targeted therapies) will and won't work on your cancer. This intrigues me.

I was warned that most private and university oncologists will be against this type of testing, so I am expecting resistance from my doctors. I just want to educate myself as much as I can before I talk to my doctors.

I just found out Friday that my lung mets have grown between 1/3 and 40% in two months while on Herceptin/Tykerb. This after becoming stable after the first 2 months. This cancer is smart and aggressive! Chemo is in my future once again. Drat!

To me it makes so much more sense to take one of my tumors (although I know this is not an easy surgery, I am strong right now) and test it to make sure we aren't just throwing toxic drugs in my body and hoping they will stick. It's just such a guessing game already.

Just wondering if any of you have had experience with tumor sensitivity testing. Pros, cons? I don't want to just buy months on my life. I am still hoping for a cure, or at least long term stability!

05-15-2011, 10:25 AM	#1
DeenaH Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 129	Has anyone had a tumor sensitivity test done? I am going to be calling Dr. Robert Nagourney tomorrow to inquire about this. Apparently if they can retrieve a large enough sample (1cm) of live cancer tissue, they can test that sample to see which chemos and chemo combos (including targeted therapies) will and won't work on your cancer. This intrigues me. I was warned that most private and university oncologists will be against this type of testing, so I am expecting resistance from my doctors. I just want to educate myself as much as I can before I talk to my doctors. I just found out Friday that my lung mets have grown between 1/3 and 40% in two months while on Herceptin/Tykerb. This after becoming stable after the first 2 months. This cancer is smart and aggressive! Chemo is in my future once again. Drat! To me it makes so much more sense to take one of my tumors (although I know this is not an easy surgery, I am strong right now) and test it to make sure we aren't just throwing toxic drugs in my body and hoping they will stick. It's just such a guessing game already. Just wondering if any of you have had experience with tumor sensitivity testing. Pros, cons? I don't want to just buy months on my life. I am still hoping for a cure, or at least long term stability! __________________ March 2010: Diagnosed with Stage IIIC IDC with axillary, mammary and suplaclavicular node involvement. ER/PR -, HER2+++. 7cm tumor in right breast. April 2010: Started neoadjuvent chemo. 4 DD A/C every 2 weeks, 4 DD Taxotere every 3 weeks with Herceptin weekly. August 2010: Finished chemo! August 20, 2010: PET/CT showed no cancer in any nodes, and only a little uptake to the breast. September 9, 2010: Bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction with implants and Alloderm. September 16, 2010: Pathology report showed 18/51 positive axillary nodes, 3.2cm tumor. Granual sized cancer found in the fatty tissue between levels 1 and 2. October 19, 2010: CT showed several spots on lungs and 1 spot on liver. Liver spot is 2mm, lung spots range from 2mm to 4mm. We don't know if they are cancer or not. 12/15/10: Brain MRI clear 1/7/11: PET/CT 1/13/11: Recurrence in lungs. Start Tykerb 5/13/11: Progression in lungs 6/3/11: Lung surgery to get tumors for chemosensitivity testing.