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

DeenaH · 05-16-2011, 08:22 AM

I do know Dr. Nagourney is more aggressive with getting tissue samples. If I were to go forward with trying this (after much research and consideration, of course), I would likely have it done by a surgeon he works with for best chance of getting a proper sample, and less chance of it dying in transport. Rather, it would just be handed off directly to Nagourney's team to start testing.

I think for me, the biggest question will be, how hard are my tumors to get to, and how hard is the recovery. If they are fairly easy to get, and I won't be wasting too much time recovering from that to start chemo, I can't see a huge reason not to do it. More research will tell. I'll post again after I talk to Nagourney's office today.

Thanks for any and all info!

Kiwigirl - I am not a candidate for TDM-1 until after I try at least one more chemo and progress on that. It is on my radar though!

05-16-2011, 08:22 AM	#10
DeenaH Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 129	Re: Has anyone had a tumor sensitivity test done? I do know Dr. Nagourney is more aggressive with getting tissue samples. If I were to go forward with trying this (after much research and consideration, of course), I would likely have it done by a surgeon he works with for best chance of getting a proper sample, and less chance of it dying in transport. Rather, it would just be handed off directly to Nagourney's team to start testing. I think for me, the biggest question will be, how hard are my tumors to get to, and how hard is the recovery. If they are fairly easy to get, and I won't be wasting too much time recovering from that to start chemo, I can't see a huge reason not to do it. More research will tell. I'll post again after I talk to Nagourney's office today. Thanks for any and all info! Kiwigirl - I am not a candidate for TDM-1 until after I try at least one more chemo and progress on that. It is on my radar though! __________________ 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.