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Becky · 11-23-2013, 11:57 AM

Her2 breast cancer is very aggressive and chemo is always recommended especially if the tumor is over 1 cm such as yours. However, your idea of Herceptin only may be a viable one but there have been no studies that this works. Is your tumor also estrogen and/or progesterone positive as well? If so, there are studies with metastatic patients (Stage 4 and you are Stage 1) that shows there is good synergy with Herceptin and an aromatase inhibitor together. I am just thinking out loud here. If the oncologist you see is not keen on Herceptin alone without chemo, see another. Not too many doctors want to do something that is not standard of care but you can get a second opinion and you should anyway so set up another opinion asap. We are here for you throughout your journey.

11-23-2013, 11:57 AM	#2
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	Re: Too old for Chemo Her2 breast cancer is very aggressive and chemo is always recommended especially if the tumor is over 1 cm such as yours. However, your idea of Herceptin only may be a viable one but there have been no studies that this works. Is your tumor also estrogen and/or progesterone positive as well? If so, there are studies with metastatic patients (Stage 4 and you are Stage 1) that shows there is good synergy with Herceptin and an aromatase inhibitor together. I am just thinking out loud here. If the oncologist you see is not keen on Herceptin alone without chemo, see another. Not too many doctors want to do something that is not standard of care but you can get a second opinion and you should anyway so set up another opinion asap. We are here for you throughout your journey. __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"