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Becky · 09-15-2006, 07:22 PM

Don't let this freak you out. There is a natural relapse period for all breast cancer. All pathologies. For Her2+ and triple negative, the highest period of recurrence occurs within the first two years. This is also true for "run of the mill" bc that is only hormone positive. However, the "only hormone" positive bc also has a "blip" in relapse in the 7-9 year period (but this blip is smaller than in the first 2 years from diagnosis.

Now the article chronicals relapse after the first year of Herceptin. It is natural that this period would be the same period that is the most common for recurrences for Her2+ cancer. Who relapses? Well - the women who would - what I mean by this is that Herceptin does not work for everyone (about half) so half of those who would relapse do. But remember, even without Herceptin, not everybody relapses. More DO NOT relapse.

So, is it logical that if you received Herceptin through this vulnerable period that it would prevent relapse? The only way to start to really evaluate this question is when the Hera trial is completed so one can see if 2 years of Herceptin is better than one year (because 2 years will cover this "relapse" period).

Preliminary evidence is pointing to the fact that more does not improve the odds (it may "save" 1-3 women per thousand more - not statistically significant).

As good as Herceptin as an adjuvant is, it will not prevent the relapse for some. This will be more relevent and reliable when better tumor testing is available AND when clinical oncologists separate out these pathologies to analyze where the failure rates occur and address them with newer and better drugs (ie: do Her2+ and ER+ (and/or PR+) recur less when on Herceptin and an antihormonal or do ER/PR negatives do better on Herceptin. Do the failures come from women who are also Her1+ or some other tumor marker we don't even know anything about?)

So, I would not freak out over this. This vulnerable period exists regardless of drug therapy (be it Herceptin, Tamoxifen, AIs etc). It is a period that every woman with breast cancer has to live through and live beyond. With these drug therapies available and new technologies on the horizon, we have a very bright future in which to go out and live our lives fully.

Have a nice weekend

Kindest regards

Becky

09-15-2006, 07:22 PM	#9
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	Don't let this freak you out. There is a natural relapse period for all breast cancer. All pathologies. For Her2+ and triple negative, the highest period of recurrence occurs within the first two years. This is also true for "run of the mill" bc that is only hormone positive. However, the "only hormone" positive bc also has a "blip" in relapse in the 7-9 year period (but this blip is smaller than in the first 2 years from diagnosis. Now the article chronicals relapse after the first year of Herceptin. It is natural that this period would be the same period that is the most common for recurrences for Her2+ cancer. Who relapses? Well - the women who would - what I mean by this is that Herceptin does not work for everyone (about half) so half of those who would relapse do. But remember, even without Herceptin, not everybody relapses. More DO NOT relapse. So, is it logical that if you received Herceptin through this vulnerable period that it would prevent relapse? The only way to start to really evaluate this question is when the Hera trial is completed so one can see if 2 years of Herceptin is better than one year (because 2 years will cover this "relapse" period). Preliminary evidence is pointing to the fact that more does not improve the odds (it may "save" 1-3 women per thousand more - not statistically significant). As good as Herceptin as an adjuvant is, it will not prevent the relapse for some. This will be more relevent and reliable when better tumor testing is available AND when clinical oncologists separate out these pathologies to analyze where the failure rates occur and address them with newer and better drugs (ie: do Her2+ and ER+ (and/or PR+) recur less when on Herceptin and an antihormonal or do ER/PR negatives do better on Herceptin. Do the failures come from women who are also Her1+ or some other tumor marker we don't even know anything about?) So, I would not freak out over this. This vulnerable period exists regardless of drug therapy (be it Herceptin, Tamoxifen, AIs etc). It is a period that every woman with breast cancer has to live through and live beyond. With these drug therapies available and new technologies on the horizon, we have a very bright future in which to go out and live our lives fully. Have a nice weekend Kindest regards Becky