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Joan M · 07-14-2014, 08:29 AM

Good luck to you! You've reached a goal that I could only hope to reach some day!

I too wonder when to stop Herceptin. An oncologist recently suggested that to me (not my oncologist, but someone else). But I don't feel confident yet. However, if I live long enough, 10 years sounds good.

I've been on only Herceptin since my cancer advanced to stage iv in January 2007. I've been NED since October 2008, also having used local procedures for two lung mets (and a craniotomy and IMRT for a brain met in October 2008).

I believe very strongly in the concept of oliogometastatic cancer and treating it with a combo of local procedures and therapeutics, and in being HER2+ I've been doubly blessed in having a targeted drug, which was only Herceptin at the time I advanced to stage iv.

Joan
xo

07-14-2014, 08:29 AM	#4
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Re: And I'm off....of Herceptin Good luck to you! You've reached a goal that I could only hope to reach some day! I too wonder when to stop Herceptin. An oncologist recently suggested that to me (not my oncologist, but someone else). But I don't feel confident yet. However, if I live long enough, 10 years sounds good. I've been on only Herceptin since my cancer advanced to stage iv in January 2007. I've been NED since October 2008, also having used local procedures for two lung mets (and a craniotomy and IMRT for a brain met in October 2008). I believe very strongly in the concept of oliogometastatic cancer and treating it with a combo of local procedures and therapeutics, and in being HER2+ I've been doubly blessed in having a targeted drug, which was only Herceptin at the time I advanced to stage iv. Joan xo __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!