HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Advice pls : Fresh tumor sample what to do with it?

DeenaH · 01-17-2012, 12:12 PM

Thank you for posting that Greg!! I had my chemo sensitivity testing with RT and Dr. Nagourney. I have already had a great response to my first line since the assay. I am on my second now. After this, we are looking at clinical trials, but I am avoiding such toxic treatments as Carbo/Gemzar because I know they will not work. If you are already having the tissue removed, it is a no brainer IMO to send it to RT for the assay. You will be in the best position possible with that invaluable information. The tissue must be live, and they need at least 1cm. Good luck!
Deena

01-17-2012, 12:12 PM	#10
DeenaH Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 129	Re: Advice pls : Fresh tumor sample what to do with it? Thank you for posting that Greg!! I had my chemo sensitivity testing with RT and Dr. Nagourney. I have already had a great response to my first line since the assay. I am on my second now. After this, we are looking at clinical trials, but I am avoiding such toxic treatments as Carbo/Gemzar because I know they will not work. If you are already having the tissue removed, it is a no brainer IMO to send it to RT for the assay. You will be in the best position possible with that invaluable information. The tissue must be live, and they need at least 1cm. Good luck! Deena __________________ 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.