HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - "I don't know how to interpret these results"

Joan M · 10-22-2007, 07:27 PM

Thank you for sharing information about breast cancer research.

Has your onc considered surgery for your sternum? While surgery is generally not applicable to bone mets, it can be used to remove an isolated met to the sternum, and has been shown to result in a long-term survival benefit.

My understanding is that most oncologist tend to shy away from surgery. Also, sometimes surgery is not indicated depending on a patient's profile.

In April, I had a single pulmonary met removed from the apex of my left lung. The turmor was tested for HER2, which was positive, but before being tested for that it was inadvertently tested for EFGR, which came back very positive. So, I'm interested in studies involving EFGR, the epidermal growth factor receptor. According to an article in Cure magazine, targeted drugs such as Tarceva (erlotinib) for non-small cell lung and pancreatic cancers, and Erbitux (cetuximab) for head and neck and colorectal cancers inhibit EFGR.

Subscriptions to Cure magazine are available free to cancer patients.

I just joined a trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering -- a very easy trial for the patient -- and will agree to give a piece of my lung tumor to some some scientists there for a protocol that will study clinical resistance to anti-Her2 therapy.

We're very fortunate to have so many scientists working on a cure for breast cancer. It gives me a lot of hope.

10-22-2007, 07:27 PM	#9
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Thank you for sharing information about breast cancer research. Has your onc considered surgery for your sternum? While surgery is generally not applicable to bone mets, it can be used to remove an isolated met to the sternum, and has been shown to result in a long-term survival benefit. My understanding is that most oncologist tend to shy away from surgery. Also, sometimes surgery is not indicated depending on a patient's profile. In April, I had a single pulmonary met removed from the apex of my left lung. The turmor was tested for HER2, which was positive, but before being tested for that it was inadvertently tested for EFGR, which came back very positive. So, I'm interested in studies involving EFGR, the epidermal growth factor receptor. According to an article in Cure magazine, targeted drugs such as Tarceva (erlotinib) for non-small cell lung and pancreatic cancers, and Erbitux (cetuximab) for head and neck and colorectal cancers inhibit EFGR. Subscriptions to Cure magazine are available free to cancer patients. I just joined a trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering -- a very easy trial for the patient -- and will agree to give a piece of my lung tumor to some some scientists there for a protocol that will study clinical resistance to anti-Her2 therapy. We're very fortunate to have so many scientists working on a cure for breast cancer. It gives me a lot of hope. __________________ 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!!