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Joan M · 11-30-2011, 09:38 AM

Hey Karen,

Johns Hopkins breast medical oncology seems to take an "aggressive" approach to limited metastatic disease, meaning surgery and less invasive procedures would be considered aggressive. Dr. Hirose mentioned this in passing a few times during his talk. I believe that MD Anderson takes the same approach. I know from personal experience that the breast service at Sloan-Kettering absolutely does not tolerate these procedures. Regardless of the institution, it's good to get a second opinion outside of where you're being treated. And for anybody on the East Coast, Johns Hopkins seems like a viable resource. The video demonstrates how carefully they select patients for local procedures.

In referring to the weather, Dr. Hirose was talking about the snow storm we had on the East Coast at the end of October!

Joan

11-30-2011, 09:38 AM	#3
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Re: Overthrowing the king and the queen Hey Karen, Johns Hopkins breast medical oncology seems to take an "aggressive" approach to limited metastatic disease, meaning surgery and less invasive procedures would be considered aggressive. Dr. Hirose mentioned this in passing a few times during his talk. I believe that MD Anderson takes the same approach. I know from personal experience that the breast service at Sloan-Kettering absolutely does not tolerate these procedures. Regardless of the institution, it's good to get a second opinion outside of where you're being treated. And for anybody on the East Coast, Johns Hopkins seems like a viable resource. The video demonstrates how carefully they select patients for local procedures. In referring to the weather, Dr. Hirose was talking about the snow storm we had on the East Coast at the end of October! Joan __________________ 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!! Last edited by Joan M; 11-30-2011 at 10:14 AM..