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Re: Her2 + and Oncotype????
This happened to me ... the onc was waiting to make sure my nodes were clear and then was going to send out my HER2 equivocal tumor for the oncotype test. If the tumor gets a low enough score, you can possibly skip the chemo, again if your nodes are clear.
HER2 positive is a TOTAL GAME CHANGER. Even with clear nodes, the standard of care is chemo and Herceptin, because HER2 positive by definition is a more aggressive cancer.
So ... because my double mastectomy revealed a HER2 positive tumor in the "healthy" breast, it didn't matter anymore that I had a tumor in the other breast that may have qualified for no chemo. Even at Stage 1, chemo and Herceptin is what is recommended for HER2 positive tumors.
Positive for HER2 means the tumor overexpresses the HER2 receptor on the surface of the cell, which make it replicate itself VERY fast and aggressively. Until Herceptin came along, the prognosis for women diagnosed with HER2+++ tumors was poor, even those diagnosed diagnosed early stage, because without Herceptin, the cancers tended to recur/metastasize much more readily than HER2 negative.
Herceptin is a targeted drug that specifically attacks the HER2 part of the cancer cell that is overexpressing and manufacturing new cells in overdrive.
Dr Dennis Slamon was instrumental in developing Herceptin and if you are interested, you can google his name and search for posts referring to him on this site too.
Herceptin was first only approved for Stage 4 patients ... it only became available to early stagers approximately in 2006 or so.
I am grateful every day for Dr Slamon and Herceptin!
Carol Ann
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July 24, 2013: "Infected" Right Nipple and benign cyst removed, pathology report revealed Paget's, DCIS, and ILC 1.25 cm, ER+/Pro+/HER2 equivocal, Grade 2 under benign cyst, previous diagnostic mammo/ultrasound said I was perfectly healthy in both breasts.
Aug 18, 2013: MRI report says Left breast is perfectly healthy "consistent with previous studies".
Sept 2013: I insist on a bilateral mastectomy anyway. Too nervewracking to let left breast remain with higher risk after 3 cancers in right, nipple in right is already gone anyhow.
Sept 18, 2013: Bilateral mastectomy, 11 right nodes removed, ALL negative BUT -- ER+/PRO+/HER2+ tumor, 1.0 cm, Grade 2 found in a piece of "grossly unremarkable" breast tissue from prophylactic mastectomy of left breast, no nodes removed.
Oct 25, 2013: 13 left side nodes removed, ALL negative, Stage 1 across the board, NO RADS needed, YAAAAY! Port also installed.
Nov 25, 2013 Begin 6 rounds TCH.
March 10, 2014 Just finished 6th and LAST Chemo today, YAAAAAY!
March 24, 2014 Echocardiogram to make sure I'm still good for Herceptin every 3 weeks.
March 31, 2014 Echo results NORMAL, first Herceptin all by itself. Now if only my eyes would stop streaming from the Taxotere ... :)
April 21, 2014 Started Arimidex and therapy for "mild" lymphedema in left hand and arm
May 2014 Therapy completed, I have sleeves and gloves for both arms, a Flexi touch lymph pump to hook up to for an hour every day, and I've become an arm bandaging expert. :)
June 2014 Begin Fosamax to prevent osteoporosis; bone scan revealed osteopenia
Nov 17, 2014 FINAL Herceptin!
Dec 4, 2014 My right thigh muscle has been extra achy for days ... I discover a blister rash cluster on the side of my right thigh while taking a shower. Port appointment cancelled until Dec 17, my doc is working me in tomorrow afternoon to see me and the rash. My muscle at least feels less achy.
Dec 5, 2014 Yep, I have shingles. Boo! I start acyclovir and also have a prescription for a painkiller just in case for over the weekend.
Dec 17, 2014 Port is OUT!
January 2016 Shingles again and this time it started where my left breast (where the hidden HER2+++ tumor was!) used to be. My onc nurse got me a same day appointment to see my doc when I called and told her I had a rash on the site. The antiviral meds are working once again, though, so that is good news. :)
Last edited by Carol Ann; 11-25-2016 at 09:22 PM..
Reason: typo
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