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Joanne S · 09-20-2007, 08:44 PM

Jen,
Good work! Thanks so much for finding it!
Audio sure beats all the articles I've been reading. This was very, very interesting. I listened to it twice. How in the world did you find it?

If I'm not mistaken the first question was confusing because I though he asked about AC---AC was not mentioned in the doctor's response---so maybe I misunderstood. At the end of the doctor's response I'm wondering if she misspoke and exchanged Trastuzumab (herceptin) when she meant Tamoxifen?

It appears to me that there is nothing about BC diagnosis and treatment that is cut and dry. Per the dr, it is also unknown if quanity of HER2+ and quanity of ER+ and quanity PR+ variables may play a role in which treatment would provide a better clinical response. I think another variable they did not mention was the womens' age/menopausal status as part of the spectrum or variables. Also, I personally would not be a willing candidate for a trial that may only give me Herceptin without any AI or T--that might unnecessary put me at risk for recurrence. Maybe there's no difference between treatments using AI or T in HER+ breast cancers. And possibly all or some HER2+ BCs are resistent to hormone therapy regardless of Aromatase Inhibitor or Tamoxifen. Will we ever know? I'm just grateful that I have had a good clinical response so far. Do you still feel tamoxifen is right choice for you now---(I think so)----that's what is important---you!

Continued well wishes to you!

09-20-2007, 08:44 PM	#6
Joanne S Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Detroit Metropolitan Area, Michigan Posts: 592	Jen, Good work! Thanks so much for finding it! Audio sure beats all the articles I've been reading. This was very, very interesting. I listened to it twice. How in the world did you find it? If I'm not mistaken the first question was confusing because I though he asked about AC---AC was not mentioned in the doctor's response---so maybe I misunderstood. At the end of the doctor's response I'm wondering if she misspoke and exchanged Trastuzumab (herceptin) when she meant Tamoxifen? It appears to me that there is nothing about BC diagnosis and treatment that is cut and dry. Per the dr, it is also unknown if quanity of HER2+ and quanity of ER+ and quanity PR+ variables may play a role in which treatment would provide a better clinical response. I think another variable they did not mention was the womens' age/menopausal status as part of the spectrum or variables. Also, I personally would not be a willing candidate for a trial that may only give me Herceptin without any AI or T--that might unnecessary put me at risk for recurrence. Maybe there's no difference between treatments using AI or T in HER+ breast cancers. And possibly all or some HER2+ BCs are resistent to hormone therapy regardless of Aromatase Inhibitor or Tamoxifen. Will we ever know? I'm just grateful that I have had a good clinical response so far. Do you still feel tamoxifen is right choice for you now---(I think so)----that's what is important---you! Continued well wishes to you! __________________ Aug06...Dx Age 50, IDC Left Breast, 6+/16 lymph nodes, Stg 3, ER+/PR+/HER2+ Sep06-Jan07...Mediport. Chemo: AC x 4, T x 4 Dec06-Nov07...Herceptin Feb12,2007...Surg MRM Left & SM Right, reconstruct w/expanders Mar07-Jun07...Saline Exp Jun07...Start Tamoxifen Jun07-Aug07...Rad x 25 Jun07-Oct07...Persistent fevers-unknown origin Jun07-Nov07...PT for Severe PMPS & Capsular Contracture Nov07...Surg Capsulectomy, Gel Implants, PMPS pain gone instantly. Feb08...NED 1st CANCERVERSARY!!!!! Feb08...2 months post surgery Caps Cont again :( Mar08...Stop Tamoxifen. Start Arimidex. Apr08...Sudden high fever, Hosp ICU 10 days, staph infect, emerg surg, implants removed. Outpt IVantibiotics Daily x 6 weeks Feb11...NED 5th CANCERVERSARY!!!!! Feb12...NED 6th CANCERVERSARY!!!!! Aug12...Spotting. Surg=D&C Sep12...STAGE IV = RARE BC METS TO UTERUS ILC ER+/PR+/HER2-Negative) (Different BC than originally diagnosed = IDC ER+/PR+/HER2+). Sep12...Stop Arimidex. Start Afinitor & Aromasin. Jan13...MRI = no progression no reduction Apr13...Progression. Stop Afinitor & Aromasin. Apr13...Start Chemo: Taxol & Carboplatin. Nov13...Scans & Pelvic 95+% Reduction. Nueropathy>Stop chemo start Fareston. Jan14...PET scan = no progression stable. May14...Pelvic > Bleeding & cramps. TMs up. May14...PET scan = uterine progression :( May14...Stop Fareston. Start Chemo: Xeloda.