HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Sisters with Mets...should I stop Herceptin?

Mary L · 01-23-2011, 10:31 AM

Hi Kim, I was on Herceptin for almost 5 years. When my ejection fraction would go down my onc would stop the Herceptin. I had to stop it 3 times during the 5 years. I would get skin mets that would start at my mastectomy site and spread across my chest. Finally my onc said ," Dr. Slamon and I both feel you can stop Herceptin. If your cancer comes back we know the Herceptin works for you." I have been off it for 3 years this past Oct 2010 and I remain NED. It is scary because it was my security blanket, but I am doing fine. Best wishes and congratulations on your success. Mary L

01-23-2011, 10:31 AM	#8
Mary L Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: PA Posts: 297	Re: Sisters with Mets...should I stop Herceptin? Hi Kim, I was on Herceptin for almost 5 years. When my ejection fraction would go down my onc would stop the Herceptin. I had to stop it 3 times during the 5 years. I would get skin mets that would start at my mastectomy site and spread across my chest. Finally my onc said ," Dr. Slamon and I both feel you can stop Herceptin. If your cancer comes back we know the Herceptin works for you." I have been off it for 3 years this past Oct 2010 and I remain NED. It is scary because it was my security blanket, but I am doing fine. Best wishes and congratulations on your success. Mary L __________________ Mary L from PA Diag: Oct 2003 w/6mm mass, IDC grade III ductal carcinoma in-situ, IBC stage IIIB. tx A/C followed by Taxotere(only able to have 2 tx, allergic), mastectomy, 3 0ut of 7 positive nodes. 35 rads. Recurrence 9 months later, skin mets to mastectomy site. Tx Carboplatin/Herceptin. Stayed on Herceptin almost 5 years, had 3 more recurrences when I had to stop Herceptin due to my ejection fraction getting too low. Herceptin stopped and ned 3 years in Oct. 2010.